A new building under construction collapsed in the Canarsie section of Brooklyn Friday afternoon, seriously hurting two construction workers, officials said.
Witnesses said a truck was unloading cinderblocks onto the top of the three-story, two-family home being built at 869 E. 95th St. when the plywood roof structure suddenly collapsed at about 3:15 p.m.
Six workers were inside or on top of the structure when it collapsed, and two were hurt seriously, officials said.
Neighbor Fernella Lewis said a worker on the roof, which was still being built, was taking cinderblocks from the lift when the wood structure collapsed.
"We heard the rocket of the thing, splashing all the blocks down," said Lewis. "Apparently, the guy that was on top fell in."
That worker suffered injuries to the head, officials said, but there are no life-threatening injuries to any worker.
Dozens of firefighters and several ladder trucks responded, along with NYPD Emergency Services Unit workers.
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A spokesman for the Department of Buildings said inspectors on the scene believe the collapse was caused by the top floor being overloaded with concrete blocks and other construction materials. The department has issued a full stop-work order at the site.
