Harlem Church Collapses, 1 Hurt, FDNY Says

HARLEM, NY — The back of a Harlem church building collapsed Thursday, an FDNY spokesman said.

Firefighters responded to 316 W. 135th Street around noon and are currently operating at the scene, an FDNY spokesman said. The three-story building, formerly home to the Mount Ararat Baptist Church, is city-owned and under construction.

One person suffered minor injuries during the building collapse, an FDNY spokesman said.

City Department of Buildings inspectors will conduct a structural stability test at the building following the collapse, a department spokesperson said.

The city Department of Housing Preservation and Development filed plans in June to demolish the church building, according to city records. Permits to begin the demolition work were issued on Nov. 9, according to city Department of Building records.

Photos by FDNY