BRONX, NY - The seven-story Billingsley Terrace building in Morris Heights began to partially collapse around 3:30 P.M. on Monday, December 11, 2023, prompting a speedy 90-second response from firefighters who scoured through rubble and debris and fortunately found no victims.  

According to FDNY Commissioner Kavanagh, "They have gone through a large pile of debris, 12-feet high in spots, and found no victims. Two civilians sustained minor injuries during the evacuation." Kavanagh said the department was thankful there were no serious injuries in the collapse.

Work was being done on the nearly 100-year-old building as recently as a few days ago, but not on the day of the collapse, according to Department of Buildings Commissioner James Oddo.

Much-needed repairs recommended by Koenigsberg Engineering PC, which inspected the building on Feb. 18, 2020, were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Building Department records.