Residents evacuated after wall collapses

(Staten Island - WABC, June 5, 2007) (WABC) -- There are new concerns about a retaining wall that collapsed on Staten Island, forcing 22 people from their homes.

NewsCopter7 was over the scene, where investigators are worried more houses could come crashing down.

The wall gave way on Richmond Road in the Dongan Hills section late Monday.

Eyewitness News reporter Sandra Bookman has more.

City building inspectors have been unable to pinpoint exactly why the wall came down. It's thought that heavy rain Monday may have at least played a part in the collapse. At this point, their focus is on trying to stable the wall and get residents back in their homes.

By mid afternoon, Richmond Road was reopened to traffic. However, residents of four homes along the street are still being kept away.

"We were standing right here...me and a couple guys, we were just going to close down," Walid Awadeh said. "We heard a big noise that sounds like an earthquake, but it didn't seem like an accident. It sounded like train, like something dragging something."

Awadeh, who owns a nearby deli, heard the wall as it came tumbling down and even knocked on doors to make sure everyone was safe.

"It was scary, because it was late at night, and kind of quiet," Awadeh said.

No injuries were reported, though some property and vehicles were damaged by falling concrete blocks. As the day wore on, residents of the evacuated homes were allowed to retrieve some of their belongings as city inspectors, architects and others assessed the damage and considered how to repair it.

The 50-by-50-foot private concrete retaining wall supports the backyard of a home on Overlook Avenue. It's been ordered evacuated as well. It is owned by John D'Amato, a prominent attorney and New York City campaign chairman for Rudy Giuliani's presidential bid.

While D'Amato has had no comment about the collapse, Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro insists it was not caused by bad construction.

"There has been no hint in this situation by any of the departments that the was wasn't properly built," he said.

At this point, the buildings department has given no timetable on when the wall will be repair or when the evacuated residents will be allowed to return to their homes.

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