That sinking feeling

By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper

A scary roof collapse during last week’s heavy rain shut down a Fifth Avenue men’s clothing store and also sent an old-timer to the hospital with minor injuries.

The collapse occurred on Thursday morning around 8 am when the entire back roof of Image Men’s Clothing store at 8419 Fifth Ave. crashed down to the first floor. An 81-year-old resident of the building was rushed to the hospital, but was only shaken up, according to Senior Chief Juan Ortiz of the Association of Volunteer Firefighters.

“He got shaken up and scared,” Ortiz said. “He was taken to Maimonides, but now he is doing fine.”

Officials speculated that a clogged drain caused too much water to accumulate on the roof, which then buckled under the strain.

The Department of Buildings later ordered the premises vacated.

The owner of Image Men’s — who gave his name as Robert — was in no mood to talk to the press. “I don’t want to comment right now,” he said. “This has been a real bad day.”

He was also busy gathering all his undamaged stock, putting it in large black plastic bags and storing it at Image Woman’s Clothing store next door, which he also owns.