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Falling Bricks Close Midtown Street

By Ben Fractenberg | February 28, 2011 2:24pm | Updated on February 28, 2011 2:48pm

By Benjamin Fractenberg

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MIDTOWN — Falling bricks crashed onto a Midtown sidewalk Monday afternoon, forcing the fire department to close off an entire block to traffic.

There were no reported injuries after the bricks fell from 40 West 38th Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues, the FDNY said. The debris tore through a storefront awning before hitting the sidewalk.

"We were just hoping there was no one there," said Gene Sanabria, 47, who works nearby and saw the incident.

"People could have gotten killed," said Joseph Becarlo, 66, who saw the bricks smash to the ground. "It's a popular area."

West 38th Street was blocked off while firefighters responded.

Fire officials at the scene said it appeared the bricks had "rotted out" before falling. They put a temporary support in place to prevent additional debris from breaking free.

The city's Department of Buildings issued a violation to building owner Second Associates LLC for failing to maintain the structure, a DOB spokesperson said.