A school bus crashed into a Crown Heights apartment building Thursday morning, damaging its entrance and forcing people in seven apartments to find somewhere else to stay.
The crash happened shortly after 7:20 a.m. at 869 Eastern Parkway, near Albany Avenue.
Surveillance video shows the bus leaving the roadway, hitting a tree and crashing into the four-story building. The impact could be heard throughout the property.
"I was by the window. I hear, 'Boom,'" said Agatha Baptiste, who has lived in the building for 64 years. "I looked out by the window. I see a bus by the gate."
Police said the 65-year-old driver was traveling west on Eastern Parkway when the bus jumped the curb and hit the building. No children or other passengers were on board.
The driver refused medical attention, and no one else was hurt.
Witness Isaac Hagen said he had just returned from synagogue when he saw the bus coming toward the building.
"I jumped out of the house because I saw it's coming into the house," Hagen said. "I didn't want to get killed. Thank God it was empty — no children. Could be a big tragedy."
A tow truck later pulled the bus from the building. Video shows chunks of concrete falling to the ground as the bus was removed.
The city Department of Buildings issued a partial vacate order covering several apartments.
Tenant Gia said residents were given only a few minutes to collect what they needed.
"They gave us 10 minutes to pack some stuff," she said. "We have to go pack and find somewhere else to stay for the night."
According to the Department of Buildings, the American Red Cross registered 20 adults and six children for emergency relocation help.
The department also ordered the building's owner to put up a tight-board fence around the damaged area to protect the public.
Police confirmed to News 12 that the bus driver is not under arrest and, at this time, no charges have been filed.