News Summary

A facade collapse at Plaza Furniture in Queens injured three individuals, including two children. The incident occurred when approximately 60 feet of debris fell onto the sidewalk and parked vehicles. Witnesses heard a loud boom, and first responders quickly arrived to assist the injured. The fire department managed to rescue one person trapped under the rubble, while city officials investigate prior complaints about the building’s structural integrity. Fortunately, all injured individuals are expected to recover as safety evaluations commence in the area.

Facade Collapse at Furniture Store in Queens Injures Three, Including Two Children

Queens, NY – A facade collapse at Plaza Furniture on Jericho Turnpike on Wednesday afternoon injured three individuals, including two children. The incident, which occurred around 4:30 p.m. between 245th and 246th streets, caused approximately 60 feet of debris to fall onto the sidewalk and onto at least two parked vehicles.

Witnesses reported a loud boom at the moment of the collapse, with some stating the noise was reminiscent of an explosion. Following the incident, a cloud of dust enveloped the area, prompting residents and passersby to rush forward to assist those in distress. Eyewitnesses helped rescue an individual trapped under the rubble, demonstrating quick thinking and bravery.

A 25-year-old pedestrian sustained back pain and was promptly transported to North Shore University Hospital for treatment. In addition, two girls aged 11 and 13 were sitting in a parked vehicle at the time of the collapse. The 13-year-old suffered leg injuries while the 11-year-old reported experiencing back pain. Fortunately, all three individuals are expected to recover from their non-life-threatening injuries.

Firefighters and rescue teams quickly emerged on the scene, hosing down debris and utilizing a rescue dog to search for any additional victims. Fortunately, the search yielded no further casualties. Emergency crews worked diligently to clear the area and assure public safety.

Billy Rashid, the owner of Plaza Furniture, had only recently opened the store, just two weeks prior to the incident. He was actively involved in the rescue efforts, which added to the day’s horrific unforeseen events.

In the wake of the collapse, the city’s Department of Buildings received a complaint in June regarding the condition of the building, which indicated several structural issues such as holes in the floor and ceiling. It remains uncertain whether these prior complaints are connected to the current incident. Following the collapse, five businesses located in the same building were issued vacate orders as a precautionary measure.

The Department of Buildings is currently investigating the incident and conducting thorough assessments of the damage with contractors. The westbound side of the Jericho Turnpike was closed to facilitate the ongoing investigation and cleanup operations, causing significant disruption to local traffic.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of building safety and regulatory compliance, especially following previous complaints regarding structural integrity. The investigation results may have implications for similar businesses in the area and influence policy changes to prevent future occurrences.

As the community grapples with this unexpected and alarming event, the focus now shifts to recovery for the injured and the evaluation of safety protocols to ensure such incidents do not happen again.

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Additional Resources

• ABC 7 NY
• Wikipedia: Building safety
• CBS News
• Google Search: Queens facade collapse
• MSN News
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Building coding
• PIX11
• Google News: Queens building collapse
• NBC New York