NYC woman falls into basement after bathroom floor collapses

NEW YORK - A Bronx woman survived with only minor injuries after plunging into her apartment building's basement because her bathroom floor collapsed.

The NYPD says it happened just before 10 a.m. on Sunday on Shakespeare Ave. in the Highbridge section.

The 20-year-old woman who lives in an apartment on the first floor was about to take a shower when the floor collapsed beneath her. 

EMS took her to Lincoln Hospital for treatment but her injuries were only minor.

The Department of Buildings sent inspectors to the 6-story building. They blamed a lack of proper maintenance for the collapse.

"Upon arriving to the scene, our inspectors determined that a section of floor in the bathroom of a first floor apartment, directly in front of the shower and toilet, collapsed into the cellar below," DOB said. "Our preliminary investigation has determined that a lack of proper maintenance was a contributing factor to the collapse."

The landlord was issued a violation and was ordered to immediately contract the services of a Professional Engineer, and submit to DOB an engineering report on the structural stability of the floor inside the rest of the apartment.

A partial vacate order was issued for the apartment where the floor collapsed.

"DOB Engineers will be following up with the building owner and their contracted engineer," the department said.

Several residents complained about maintenance problems in the building that haven't been addressed.

Flyers in Spanish and English were distributed to residents informing them that Housing Preservation and Development inspectors will come in early September.

FOX 5 NY reached out to the property owner for comment but did not get a response.