Overview
- Newly released interior photos show two vehicles buried after the Empire building’s garage floor gave way into the basement.
- Resident John Lee says the ground collapsed beneath his car; neighbors pulled him to safety, and fire officials reported no injuries.
- The Department of Neighborhood Services ordered Katz Property to complete repairs within 14 days or face penalties of up to $10,000 per day.
- Debris crushed a heating pipe, prompting a heat shutdown, and the garage remains closed with tenants told to remove cars and use street parking.
- Police and fire crews secured the site and coordinated vehicle removal as engineers assess the structure, and the property manager offered no detailed comment.