Brooklyn Building's Facade Collapses, 350 Residents Displaced

The facade of a vacant building on Pacific Street in Brooklyn collapsed Wednesday.

No one was hurt, but a neighboring building was evacuated and residents were told to flee their homes.

The city's Department of Buildings said there was asbestos abatement work going on at the site. Tests are being conducted to determine if there is any asbestos in the air.

Officials said the parapet on the former Ward Bread Bakery complex came crashing onto the sidewalk and Pacific Street just after 9:45 a.m. No workers were reported injured, and no pedestrians were struck.

Both buildings are in the area which will eventually be used for the Atlantic Yards project, which includes a new Nets arena.

Councilwoman Letitia James released a statement:

I am relieved no one was hurt in the partial "collapse" of part of the historic Ward's Bakery building this morning -- I have been asking for an oversight structure of construction work at the site for some time. There is still no formal structure, other than the developer's own "Community Liaison Office," from which the public can get information. It is tragic that 350 residents, consisting of 94 families, have been displaced because of this morning's occurrence.