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Several People Rescued From University Heights Apartment Elevator

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Several people were rescued from an elevator inside a University Heights apartment building Thursday after it fell several stories before coming to a stop.

The Department of Buildings told 1010 WINS the elevator sheave malfunctioned causing the hoist ropes to snap.

Officials said the elevator's safety mechanisms activated and caused the device to come to an abrupt stop.

Officials said the group was trapped inside the elevator at 2205 Davidson Ave. for about 25 minutes. No injuries were reported.

Monseratt Contrarous lives on the top floor and said she's been stuck in the elevator in the past.

"There's like a power button for emergency stuff. This guy was with us and he switched it back up and we were going downstairs again," she said.

Contrarous said her cousin also lives in the building and has been stuck before, now she won't use it at all.

The Department of Buildings said a cease use order was issued for the elevator. A violation for failure to maintain was also issued.

The building has two staircases that will be utilized.

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