Three-story building collapses in Brooklyn: one dead, two seriously injured and one person trapped

The collapse of a three-story building in Brooklyn, New York, on Wednesday afternoon claimed one life and left two people seriously injured. Another person was trapped beneath the rubble as rescue crews began working to free them.

The incident occurred at around 4:00 p.m. local time in Flatbush, a mostly residential neighborhood in Brooklyn. CNN, citing an official with the New York City Fire Department, reported that a construction site was located next to the building.

The building had three floors, a store on the ground floor and at least one apartment on the upper floors. According to CNN, the collapse was caused by the adjacent construction site.

Footage released from the scene shows firefighters pulling a person from the rubble. Four firefighters placed the person on a stretcher and carried them away from the area.

Dozens of firefighters took part in clearing debris and searching for people trapped. They moved furniture and various items, including pillows and a damaged stove, to check the spaces among the rubble.

Drones were also used in the search. The operation continued after dark, with the help of handheld flashlights.

“New York City Fire Department units are currently responding to a building collapse on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn,” the department said Wednesday afternoon.