Boulder Collapse Destroys Yonkers Tool Rental Store, Forces Road Closure

Building Collapse in Yonkers

• ⛰️ A two-story business building in Yonkers collapsed just after sunrise due to a rock slide.
• 💥 A large boulder obliterated the rear concrete block wall of the Peterson Tool Rental Company, a third-generation family business.
• ⏳ The building, which had been in operation since 1953, is deemed structurally unsound and must be demolished.

Cause and Cleanup Efforts

• 🌧️ Investigators attribute the collapse to heavy rain and a mudslide, which dislodged rocks from a steep slope behind the business.
• ⛽ A hazmat crew responded to contain fuel spilled from a 500-gallon oil tank.
• 🛣️ Sawmill River Road, a main access route, was closed for approximately 9 hours due to the extensive debris and cleanup.

Community Impact

• ✅ Fortunately, no injuries were reported as the business was empty at the time of the collapse.
• 💔 The incident has been described as a "one-two punch from Mother Nature and Father Time", deeply affecting lifelong residents and the community.
• 🔍 Building inspectors examined the surrounding area and found it to be safe, though the demolition of the remaining structure is expected in the coming days.