Residents displaced after Flatbush building collapse navigate next steps
Residents tell News 12 they were told they will be able to stay in hotels until the end of the month, and they will be in contact with city agencies that will help place them in a shelter.
In a News 12 Exclusive, crews rode along with displaced residents from the Flatbush building collapse as they navigate the next steps.
News 12 spoke with Ciahola, a resident who says she was inside at the time of the collapse.
“You feel that boom and you just want to hold onto something in your house,” said Ciahola.
Video obtained by News 12 shows Ciahola managing to get out of the building with the help of a firefighter.
“And I’m just looking at the door like, ‘How am I getting out?’ It’s just traumatizing,” said Ciahola.
Ciahola says many of the residents had to leave behind their belongings to escape the building collapse.
She traveled with a group of displaced residents to Manhattan, where they were told the Red Cross would assist them.
Residents like Hyderaba recounted those terrifying moments.
“I had to come up on the stairwell where there is no wall, so I had to cling to the right side of the stairwell. I also had to open up the door and get my neighbor next door and her child. And we have pets inside still,” said Hyderaba.
The Red Cross tells News 12 they’re helping at least 19 people. Anyone else displaced can call 1-877-RED CROSS (877-733-2767) and select Option 1.
Residents tell News 12 they were told they will be able to stay in hotels until the end of the month, and they will be in contact with city agencies that will help place them in a shelter.
