Cobble Hill

Falling bricks injure construction workers at former LICH site in Brooklyn

Historical Cobble Hill hospital being razed

October 6, 2016 By Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Demolition continued at the former Long Island College Hospital (LICH) site in Cobble Hill on Thursday following an incident on Wednesday when falling bricks injured two workers. Photo by Mary Frost
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Bricks falling from the former Long Island College Hospital (LICH) in Cobble Hill, now an active demolition site, injured two workers at roughly 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

FDNY reported to the city’s Department of Buildings (DOB) that bricks were falling from the former hospital at 339 Hicks St. near Atlantic Avenue.

NYPD received a 911 call to come to the aid of a male in front of the building shortly before 1 p.m., a police spokesperson told the Brooklyn Eagle.

According to an FDNY spokesperson, one victim was in serious but stable condition; the other suffered minor injuries. The victims were brought to New York Methodist Hospital in Park Slope.

“Safety is our top priority and we are continuing to monitor the condition of the two injured workers following this unfortunate incident,” a spokesperson for Fortis Property Group told the Eagle. Fortis acquired the LICH property after a bitter legal battle.

DOB has assigned the follow-up to the Best Squad (Buildings Enforcement Safety Team).

The demolition site has experienced several incidents over the past year. On Sept. 27, sheetrock caught fire in the basement. In August, a Stop Work Order was issued because of a sidewalk scaffolding problem. That order was rescinded on Sept. 13.

In late August, a fire broke out on the roof of the former Polhemus Memorial Clinic at LICH. The roof caught fire while workers were removing a water tank.

Blue Rock Contracting received a number of Environmental Control Board violations in February of this year. These include citations for performing electrical work without a permit, lack of fire extinguishers, a non-functioning elevator, failure to maintain safety equipment, holes not covered and lack of lighting.

Previously the company had been cited for failing to have a safety manager onsite, was fined for conditions relating to the fire, and for continuing to work while the site was under a full Stop Order.

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This story was updated at 5:15 p.m. to reflect that the victims were brought to New York Methodist Hospital, according to FDNY, not the stand-alone emergency department at the former LICH.

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