Falling Bricks Force Evacuation Of 3 Buildings In Chelsea

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Three buildings in Chelsea were evacuated Friday afternoon due to falling bricks.

The problem was reported around 2:30 p.m. Friday at 98 Eighth Ave., near 15th Street. The Department of Buildings also evacuated two neighboring buildings, because they are all adjoined.

Residents said there had been scaffolding in front of the buildings until Friday morning. That was when the trouble became apparent.

"It's leaning, and you can see a separation between the wood and the bricks," one woman said. "That's what happened to 92 Eighth Avenue when the Sandy storm came in -- the façade came down. So basically, we're looking at something similar."

All three buildings are three stories tall, with businesses on the ground floors.