Investigators are saying the recent heavy rains may have caused the collapse of the Fort Greene building at 493 Myrtle Avenue yesterday. After reports that the building was issued a Department of Buildings citation May 1 for a large crack that ran up the exterior wall, speculations that the building wasn’t safe for living had arisen. But, according to owner William Sang, the exterior crack had been there for 10 years, years before he bought the building in 2006. He said when the buildings department came to inspect on May 1, it said the building was safe for tenants despite the crack. However, scaffolding was set up on the building and workers had been mending the exterior crack for several weeks, said tenant Anh Nguyen. Fire crews were called to the building shortly after its collapse. Four people were injured and several buildings were evacuated. [NYT] and [NYDN] [more]

A four-story building collapsed yesterday, injuring four people and
forcing the evacuation of several buildings nearby, officials said. The
building, at 493 Myrtle Avenue in Clinton Hill, was cited for having a
crack in its facade last month, received complaints from tenants of
shaking and vibrations, as well as a violation for work on the building
without proper permits, according to the Times. The building, which is
owned by William Sang, had apartments on the upper three floors and
Vesper Bar and Lounge occupied the ground floor. City Council member Letitia James, who represents the district, said a four-story building at 491 Myrtle Avenue, which was attached to the fallen building and suffered significant damage, would have to be demolished. [NYDN] and [NYT] and [Post] [more]