The city has ordered the full demolition of a structurally unsound building in Corona following a partial collapse that endangered residents of a neighboring home on 37th Avenue and 101st Street.
The FDNY responded to a 911 call reporting a building collapse at 101-01 37th Ave. just before 1:30 p.m. on Friday, May 16.
“When units arrived, they found a building that had been in the process of demolition and part of a sidewall had collapsed into the adjacent structure,” said FDNY Deputy Chief Christopher Paolicelli. “We evacuated the neighboring building and removed four people. There was no one inside the collapsed structure at the time.”
According to the Department of Buildings (DOB), the site had been under active investigation following a public complaint. Inspectors visited the location on Wednesday, May 14, and found that a two-story structure with a cellar had been severely compromised by unsafe construction practices. Excavation equipment was observed on site, apparently being used to demolish parts of the building without the required permits.
DOB immediately issued a full stop work order and a full vacate order for the property. Contractors were instructed to secure the site and conduct emergency stabilization to prevent a total collapse.
In light of the structural instability and continued risk to public safety, DOB issued an emergency demolition order on Thursday, May 15. The order mandated the installation of protective measures, including a sidewalk shed and safety barriers to safeguard pedestrians and neighboring properties. These precautions were in place at the time of the Friday collapse.
DOB inspectors returned to the site on May 16 and confirmed that one side of the structure had partially collapsed. With further collapse imminent, full demolition operations began on Monday, May 19.
According to DOB, both the investigation and demolition work remain ongoing.
