Wall Collapse in NYC Commercial Building Injures 10
ANDRIA HALL, CNN ANCHOR: We want to update you now on a breaking story that we just got in from Manhattan. You're looking at live pictures from Manhattan, from the East Village, where the wall of a building there has collapsed. Firefighter officials say that three people, perhaps, could be trapped in the rubble. This according to New York City Fire Department. And almost 200 firefighters have been called onto the scene, 47 units responding. This is a four-story commercial building at 14 2nd Avenue. Apparently this collapsed wall went into a small courtyard next to Houston Street in the East Village of Manhattan. You're looking at the scene right there. We will continue to keep you up to date on this breaking news story out of Manhattan. Just a note: Yesterday a building collapsed in Brooklyn, killing at least three people there. Let's go to Natalie now with more.</s>NATALIE ALLEN, CNN ANCHOR: Cecilia Cox is on the line with us. Ms. Cox, were you a witness to what happened?</s>CECILIA COX, NEW YORK FIRE DEPARTMENT: Hello.</s>ALLEN: Yes, what can you tell us about what happened?</s>COX: What I can tell you is that a four-story, commercial building in the lower east side section of Manhattan has a side wall that has collapsed into the interior of the building.</s>ALLEN: What kind of -- you say commercial building. What did this house?</s>COX: We're hearing that it was a commercial establishment that stored large antique artifacts, such as large wrought-iron doors, masonry pieces, large signs, things that are irreplaceable. As a matter of fact, I'm hearing that it's called -- the establishment is called Irreplaceable Antiques.</s>ALLEN: We actually see that on our screen right now in these live pictures. Thank you.</s>COX: Yes.</s>ALLEN: Any idea why it collapsed? Was this a construction project?</s>COX: No, it's very early in the initial stages of this incident, and unfortunately we will have to do a brick-by-brick search to make sure that all of the occupants are safe and accounted for, and to try and get some sense of exactly what caused this.</s>ALLEN: So we've been saying that maybe up to three people could be trapped inside. Any ideas...?</s>COX: Initially, there was a report of three unconfirmed people that were unaccounted for. But I'm just getting some information that's telling me that there are 10 people with minor injuries, and these people that were initially thought missing have been accounted for.</s>ALLEN: I assume these people -- were they all people that were injured, were they working?</s>COX: Yes, they were workers for this store.</s>ALLEN: Do you know if any passersby were hurt as well?</s>COX: I'm sure that -- I'm hearing that all 10 people had something to do. They either worked there or were working in the initial area. They were workers. They weren't civilians or shopping in the area or anything.</s>ALLEN: Cecilia Cox of the New York Fire Department, we thank you for talking with us, again, confirming for us that doesn't believe there's anyone trapped in the rubble, but there were 10 people injured when this wall collapsed in Manhattan today.