PRESS RELEASE: Partial Roof Collapse at National Wholesale Liquidators Situated in Yonkers

YONKERS, NY — January 11, 2017 — Today at approximately 11:45am, the Yonkers Police Department Communications Division received numerous calls of a partial roof collapse at 798 Central Park Avenue, which is currently occupied by National Wholesale Liquidators at the Cross County Mall. Upon arrival, numerous Yonkers Police Department and Yonkers Fire Department units assisted in evacuating shoppers and employees from the store and the immediate parking lot area from the front of the store. Five non-life threatening injuries were reported at the scene, all victims were transported to area hospitals.

Initial investigation has revealed that a construction vehicle, described as a “Bobcat” type vehicle, was being operated on the roof of National Wholesale Liquidators. The roof at this location was also previously used as a parking structure. At some point, the construction vehicle fell through the parking structure and through the roof of National Wholesale Liquidators and into the store. The operator of the construction vehicle was one of the five persons who was injured and treated at a local hospital.

A search was conducted by the Yonkers Police Emergency Service Unit and Yonkers Fire Department personnel for any additional victims. No additional victims were located, but a complete search could not be conducted in the immediate area of the construction vehicle due to structural safety issues inside of the store caused by the collapse. There are no known unaccounted for or missing persons believed to be inside of the store at this time. Anyone requesting additional information can call the YPD Communications Division at 914-377-7900.

The Yonkers Police Department and Yonkers Fire Department will continue to have a presence at the location until necessary structural repairs are made in order to safely search the remaining areas inside of the store. Private contractors will be responding to the scene to make the necessary repairs to safeguard the property. One lane of traffic is closed on the northbound side of Central Park Avenue to allow for emergency vehicles which remain at the scene.