Site of Williamsburg accident lacked work permits

Contractors were trapped when basement at 146 Wilson caved in

146 Wilson Street in Williamsburg
146 Wilson Street in Williamsburg

Three construction workers were injured Monday morning when illegal excavation work caused a South Williamsburg basement to collapse, trapping workers in the soil below, city authorities said.

Work permits were never issued at 146 Wilson Street, the site of the collapse, the Department of Buildings said. Two workers were buried in soil for about 30 minutes until firefighters freed them.

“This morning’s cave-in is a stark reminder of the dangers of working without permits or proper safeguards,” a Department of Buildings spokesperson said in a statement. “The Department is investigating this illegal construction project and we will do everything in our power to identify and hold accountable those responsible for endangering public safety.”

A full vacate and partial stop work order was been issued at 146 Wilson Street; as well as 148 Wilson, a synagogue; and 144 Wilson, a three-story residential property.

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Evelyn Krausz, of A&L Family Trust LLC, purchased the three-story, 2,700-square-foot building in 2006 for $625,000, according to city property records. She could not be reached for comment.

The workers were transferred to the hospital with minor injuries, officials said.

Construction accidents are up markedly this fiscal year. More than 300 New York City workers have been injured since July of 2014, a 52 percent increase over the prior fiscal year.