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Glass atrium at Sony building in NYC collapses
by Neka Sehgal - March 1, 2010 - comments
The glass atrium, weighed down by the ice left from the last week’s storm, broke through the 32nd floor of the high-rise building, striking two three-by-five foot glass panels to come crashing down.
The evening turned into a disaster for party revelers celebrating Purim, a Jewish holiday, when part of a glass atrium collapsed at the Solo Restaurant in the Sony building on Saturday night.
The accident happened at the Sony Building on Madison Avenue in Manhattan at around 11 p.m. when the roof caved in, with ice and glass shards crashing down into the lobby over the heads of some 300 guests.
According to a spokesman for the New York City Fire Department, the glass atrium, weighed down by the ice reportedly left from the last week’s storm, broke through the 32nd floor of the high-rise building, striking two three-by-five foot glass panels to come crashing down.
Chaos prevailed, with people running for cover. Fortunately, nobody was seriously hurt in the cave-in, though around ten persons sustained non-threatening injuries.
Four were taken to the Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan for treatment of minor cuts, while the remaining declined medical care.
Some impressions of the chaotic scene
Shirley Rozman, who was partying in the premises, was startled by a loud pop of “what sounded like some plates breaking."
On glancing upwards she saw glass flying everywhere in what closely resembled a hailstorm.
She said, "There was a little bit of panic. People were afraid the ceiling would come crashing down even farther."
The people dashed from the center of the room, looking for refuge. One of her friends was pierced in the chest by a glass splinter, though she herself miraculously escaped with a small scrape on the chin.
Recalling the scene, a guest stated, “I was inside and thought I was going to die. A section of glass just shattered on us. Everyone ran out, some people were screaming."
Another attendee stated, "Small pieces [of glass] fell everywhere, in my hair, on my shoes" and "This is my first and last time at one of these."
"Jersey Shore" star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi present at the gathering found the incident scary but was thankful nobody got hurt.
A short while later, she tweeted, "Omg roof just collapsed at the purim event! We thought the dj was beatin the beat hardcore but nope, the roof couldn't handle snooki and vin."
Plaza owners face fine of up to $25 grand
According to the sources, the New York City Buildings Department had issued an advisory to building owners on Friday to properly clear away snow or ice due to danger of falling after the storm.
In view of the owners’ failure to properly maintain the building they could face a maximum $25,000 penalty.