Doorbell camera captures collapse of Brooklyn building, killing eight

A doorbell camera inside a Brooklyn apartment captured the moment a neighboring structure collapsed onto a construction site at about 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 11, trapping residents and workers. The footage shows the building's wall being torn away, followed by crashing sounds, alarms and the arrival of emergency responders.

More than 250 firefighters and EMS personnel arrived within a minute and began a search that continued through the night and into the following day. The New York City Fire Department announced on social media that rescue operations ended at 3:37 p.m. ET on Nov. 12, stating that no additional victims were found.

The NYPD confirmed that the death toll includes six adults in their 20s and early 30s, a 9-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy. Eighteen people – 14 civilians and four firefighters – were injured.

The cause of the three-story building's collapse has not been determined. Reports indicate that developers were planning a nine-story mixed-use project on the site, although only a three-story structure had received approval. A construction firm, N Tech Design of America, demolished a one-story building on the property despite a stop-work order issued in March, according to a city summons.

City records show the 96-year-old apartment building had a history of violations, with 98 citations dating back to 1972, including 21 classified as immediately hazardous for issues such as peeling lead paint, a leaking roof and unsafe wiring. The property is owned by Isolag Realty Group, with Olufemi Falade listed as the registered agent. Falade previously faced jail time and fines for failing to address housing violations at other properties.