Building COLLAPSES in the Bronx as dramatic footage shows families’ homes ripped open after six-story complex crumbles
- A six-story building in the Morris Heights neighborhood partially collapsed.
- Several apartments remained open to the street below.
Part of a six-story building collapsed to the ground Monday afternoon in the Bronx, leaving a scene of destruction with rubble piled below.
The apartment complex in Morris Heights partially collapsed around 3:30 p.m.
Photos of the scene show the bare walls of several apartments completely exposed.
The shed at ground level at the base of the building was surrounded by a pile of sheet metal, bricks, concrete and metal rods.
Rescue crews equipped with police dogs rushed to the site of the building collapse, searching for residents who may still be trapped inside.
![Part of a six-story building collapsed to the ground Monday afternoon in the Bronx, leaving a scene of destruction with rubble piled below.](https://thewstnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Building-COLLAPSES-in-the-Bronx-as-dramatic-footage-shows-families.jpg)
Part of a six-story building collapsed to the ground Monday afternoon in the Bronx, leaving a scene of destruction with rubble piled below.
![The apartment complex in Morris Heights partially collapsed around 3:30 p.m. Below was a mangled mess of twisted metal and concrete.](https://thewstnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1702335332_378_Building-COLLAPSES-in-the-Bronx-as-dramatic-footage-shows-families.jpg)
The apartment complex in Morris Heights partially collapsed around 3:30 p.m. Below was a mangled mess of twisted metal and concrete.
![A building partially collapsed in the Bronx on Monday afternoon, causing chaos and destruction.](https://thewstnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1702335332_261_Building-COLLAPSES-in-the-Bronx-as-dramatic-footage-shows-families.jpg)
A building partially collapsed in the Bronx on Monday afternoon, causing chaos and destruction.
![The bare walls of several apartments overlooked the street below.](https://thewstnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Building-COLLAPSES-in-the-Bronx-as-dramatic-footage-shows-families.jpeg)
The bare walls of several apartments overlooked the street below. At the base of the building lay a pile of sheet metal, bricks and metal rods.
![At the base of the building lay a pile of sheet metal, bricks and metal rods.](https://thewstnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1702335332_85_Building-COLLAPSES-in-the-Bronx-as-dramatic-footage-shows-families.jpeg)
At the base of the building lay a pile of sheet metal, bricks and metal rods.
![The incident happened at 1915 Billingsley Terrace in Morris Heights around 3:30 p.m.](https://thewstnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1702335332_134_Building-COLLAPSES-in-the-Bronx-as-dramatic-footage-shows-families.jpg)
The incident happened at 1915 Billingsley Terrace in Morris Heights around 3:30 p.m.
The video shows a corner of a six-story building with cut-off walls and sagging floors, as well as a pile of rubble in the street.
Among the debris was twisted and jumbled metal, apparently from scaffolding around part of the building.
In one of the apartments a portrait was visible hanging on the wall; in another, what appeared to be a bed stood several feet from the exposed edge of the floor.
Firefighters could be seen shining bright lights into apartment windows from high stairs.
At least one drone could also be seen hovering a few feet from where the wall fell onto the street.
![The corner of the building appears to have been completely broken off by the collapse.](https://thewstnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1702335332_148_Building-COLLAPSES-in-the-Bronx-as-dramatic-footage-shows-families.jpg)
The corner of the building appears to have been completely broken off by the collapse.
![As of an hour after the collapse, there were no reports of injuries.](https://thewstnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1702335332_669_Building-COLLAPSES-in-the-Bronx-as-dramatic-footage-shows-families.jpg)
As of an hour after the collapse, there were no reports of injuries.
![People were advised to stay away from West Burnside Avenue between Osborne Place and Phelan Place in the Bronx.](https://thewstnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1702335332_409_Building-COLLAPSES-in-the-Bronx-as-dramatic-footage-shows-families.jpg)
People were advised to stay away from West Burnside Avenue between Osborne Place and Phelan Place in the Bronx.
![Rescue teams equipped with police dogs are searching for residents who may have been trapped inside.](https://thewstnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1702335332_407_Building-COLLAPSES-in-the-Bronx-as-dramatic-footage-shows-families.jpg)
Rescue teams equipped with police dogs are searching for residents who may have been trapped inside.
The building department said inspectors are at the scene conducting an investigation.
The NYPD advised the public to avoid the area of West Burnside Avenue between Osborne Place and Phelan Place in the Bronx.
The New York City Office of Emergency Management also warned of traffic delays and road closures in the area.
By evening there were no reports of injuries, but firefighters continued to search.
“We have no reports of injuries at this time, but our members, including our K-9 team, are searching for trapped people,” Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said on X shortly before 5 p.m.