In a response to the recent partial collapse of a Bronx apartment building, New York City has suspended the inspection authority of a state-licensed engineer. The suspension comes after it was determined that a critical error made by the engineer may have contributed to the incident. Mayor Eric Adams and Buildings Commissioner Jimmy Oddo have labeled the mistake as "catastrophic" and are now considering permanently revoking the engineer's authority.

The error occurred in June when the engineer mistakenly labeled a load-bearing column as a decorative part of the structure in the plans submitted to the Department of Buildings. Mayor Adams expressed his concern over the engineer's ability to assess the exterior walls of buildings in New York City, leading to the immediate suspension.

City officials have announced that they are reviewing all 368 inspection reports recently filed by the engineer. This thorough investigation aims to ensure that no other critical oversights have been made in other projects. Commissioner Oddo emphasized the importance of going through each filing meticulously until the review process is complete.

Additionally, the Buildings Department will conduct re-inspections of the 40 other properties owned by the landlord to confirm their structural integrity and ensure the safety of residents. This measure intends to prevent any future incidents like the one that occurred at the Morris Heights apartment building.

The investigation into the collapsed building is still ongoing, but initial findings suggest that the inspector instructed contractors to remove bricks from the support beam without the installation of temporary supports. This oversight could have resulted in a much greater tragedy, as video footage captured people scrambling away from the falling debris as it crashed onto the street.

Unfortunately, over 40 families residing in the building have lost their homes as a result of the collapse. Many of these residents have been evacuated to a nearby school while officials work to find temporary housing solutions for them.

City authorities are committed to ensuring the safety of New York City's buildings and its residents. Actions taken, such as suspending the engineer's inspection authority and conducting thorough investigations, demonstrate a proactive approach to preventing future accidents and guaranteeing the wellbeing of the community.