A sudden building collapse in Newark, New Jersey, left six people injured and led to the destruction of three apartments on Friday. The incident took place at a Newark Housing Authority property on South Pine Lane around the evening. Of the six injured, one person suffered serious injuries, while five were taken to the hospital. One individual declined medical assistance. The person with severe injuries was admitted to the burn unit at Saint Barnabas Hospital.
The incident forced thirteen families out of their homes. These families are now housed in hotels and provided with meals as investigators comb through the debris. The Department of Housing and Urban Development-funded property is under scrutiny, and the Red Cross is on the scene providing support.
Newark’s Mayor, Ras Baraka, addressed the incident at a news conference, describing it as a traumatic event. He assured that the city is standing by the Housing Authority to provide all necessary support to the affected residents. He also stated that the residents would not be allowed to return until the property is declared safe.
Eyewitnesses reported a shaking sensation during the collapse, with windows being propelled nearly a hundred feet away from the apartments. The aftermath saw the building’s parking lot littered with shards of glass. One resident shared their terrifying experience of their door being blown open by the force of the collapse.
Fritz Frage, Newark Public Safety Director, stated at the news conference that the gas supply to the complex was cut off as part of the investigation into the cause of the collapse. Officials have yet to confirm whether a gas explosion was responsible for the damage.