Pizza place destroyed in Kensington building collapse, no injuries reported

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Emergency crews have responded to a building collapse in the Kensington section of Philadelphia.

It happened around 9:48 a.m. Wednesday at Memphis and York streets.

Fire crews said a three-story rowhouse, with a pizza shop on the ground floor and apartments above, collapsed.

"We're lucky the prep guy wasn't in there," said Stephano Haviarais, who owns the building. He said the the popular restaurant Key Pizza was set to open at 11 a.m. and employees were usually there prepping around 10:30 a.m.. "They are lucky there wasn't a tragedy."

Preliminary info indicates it was unoccupied and no injuries have been reported.

Chopper 6 over the scene showed firefighters surveying the damage and neighbors looking on.

Debris could be seen where the building once stood.

Construction equipment could be seen at the collapse site. According to the building owner and neighbors, work was being done on a property next door prior to the collapse.

The Department of Licenses and Inspections confirmed that a new construction permit was issued to the property at 2331 E. York Street in November of 2021. They are evaluating if the work underway there contributed to the collapse.

Inspectors also said the building that collapse had been cited for a bulged front wall in July.

The status of neighboring properties is being assessed.