Four Injured as Window Washing Rig Triggers Brick Fall in Midtown

Bricks Fall on Park Avenue Sidewalk, Injuring Four

Four pedestrians were injured on Friday afternoon when bricks fell onto a Park Avenue sidewalk near the corner of East 49th Street in midtown Manhattan.

Incident Reported Just Before 4:30 p.m.

The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) reported that a call was received just before 4:30 p.m. about bricks falling from a building at the intersection of Park Avenue and East 49th Street. The incident occurred at a high-rise building where window washing work was taking place.

Cause Linked to Window Washing Rig

According to the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB), a scaffolding rig used for window washing was positioned on the roof of the building. An investigation determined that the straps holding the rig in place failed, allowing the rig to slide off its position on the roof.

As the window washing rig swung off the roof, it struck brick masonry on a wall at the edge of the roof. The impact dislodged bricks, which then fell to the sidewalk below, the DOB said. The rig did not fall to the ground and remained suspended by its cables.

Injuries and Medical Response

Four pedestrians were injured by the falling debris, according to the DOB. Two of the injured individuals were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The other two injured pedestrians declined medical attention at the scene. Officials stated that none of the reported injuries were considered life-threatening.

Damage to Vehicles

Two drivers reported that their vehicles were struck by debris during the incident. An image from the scene showed a black SUV with visible dents and a shattered rear window, with pieces of masonry scattered on the street beside the vehicle.

Safety Orders and Violation Issued

Following the incident, the Department of Buildings ordered the property to install protection measures for pedestrians along the affected sidewalk area. The DOB also issued a violation to the building owner, citing failure to properly maintain the building.

In addition, the building owners were directed to hire an engineer to prepare a report on the status of the building. This report is intended to assess the condition of the structure following the incident and to address any safety concerns identified by inspectors.