NYC Event Space's ~500 People Evacuation
A Manhattan theatre company gala's hosted building, had to be evacuated last night.
The Lower East Side event space's balcony and support beams contorted and cracked, with the New York City Fire Department having to evacuate about 500 people. The structure was a former 1840s synagogue. FDNY Deputy Chief Jim Hodgens declared, "It could've been a lot of serious injuries...We were very fortunate that we were on the scene. We investigated, and again, a potential disaster was averted".
The Department of Buildings inspected the property and ordered everyone to evacuate; noone was injured. Event Director Sam Pinkleton described, "We heard a horrible crack and some shouts, and then everything changed suddenly". The evening's host SoHo Rep, held a portion of the gala outside and wants to conduct the fundraiser at a later date, to generate $250,000.00 in needed funding.
Soho Rep's Executive Director Cynthia Flowers explained, "The most important thing, obviously, is that the fire department did what they had to do, got people out and everybody's safe...But it's just disappointing for us because it's such an important night for us and such a celebration for the company".