A 37-storey skyscraper in Manhattan remains unstable hours after a partial collapse, with officials confirming a 'very serious situation'. The incident occurred at 235 East 42nd Street, a building under conversion from commercial to residential use.
Collapse Details
Fire crews responded shortly before 8am local time (1pm BST) after two supporting pillars buckled, causing five stories to cave in. Bricks fell to the street, forcing an evacuation of the area. The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) reported structural issues on the 21st floor, including multiple cracks and sagging floors.
Cliff Johnson, a worker inside the building, told PIX11 News: 'The beams started crumbling, the floors started crumbling, and they might have to evacuate the other side. The general contractor chose to go non‑union for this project. All we want is responsible construction in the City of New York.'
Official Response
FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito stated: 'It's a very serious situation because the box beams — the steel beams — have started to bend and deflect from the weight. We evacuated the building and started evacuations of surrounding buildings. The building has continued to move since we have been on the scene.'
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the situation as 'serious' and noted continued structural shifts. 'Every few minutes we are looking at a new assessment of the structure and of the possibilities and the options that we have in front of us,' he said. Stabilisation work will begin once the building is deemed safe.
Impact and Evacuations
The evacuation caused major disruption during rush hours. A nearby school with approximately 400 pupils was closed. No injuries have been reported. Officials urge New Yorkers to avoid the area to allow city workers to respond.
