By Ben Fractenberg and Nina Mandell
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
HARLEM — Six people were injured when glass fell from a building near the B and D subway stop on 125th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue Wednesday afternoon.
But the situation could have been much worse, FDNY Battalion Chief Steve DeLaughry told DNAinfo.
“It appears it didn’t come down intact,” he said as police surveyed the scene. “Which is lucky, because someone could have been killed.”
Employees of stores near the accident site, located at 288 St. Nicholas Ave., said the building was a disaster waiting to happen.
"We’ve been having to dodge the ice as it comes down," said Jay Marshall, who works in an eyeglass store on 125th Street, of other dangerous debris he’s seen fall from the building.
Police stated that three of the injured parties were taken to St. Luke's Hospital, while the other three were taken to Harlem Hospital. None of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening.
A building inspector at the scene of the accident could not provide any details regarding violations or penalties the building owner might face.
In July of last year, the Department of Buildings issued a fine and a temporary stop-work order at the property for debris that was "falling or in danger of falling."
