A partial collapse of a 20-story apartment building in the Bronx, New York City, occurred Wednesday morning after a reported gas explosion, city officials said. The incident left a corner of the building in a pile of rubble, stretching from the ground floor to the roof.
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) responded to the explosion around 8:10 AM, identifying the source as an incinerator shaft within the high-rise, which collapsed as a result. “There were no immediate reports of injuries,” the FDNY confirmed.
Incinerator shafts in older New York City buildings were historically used to dispose of trash by burning it on site. Modern practices have largely replaced them with trash compactors that use the same chutes but avoid fire hazards.
Visuals circulating on social media captured clouds of dust billowing across the block immediately after the collapse, highlighting the dramatic impact. The building is owned by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) as part of its public housing system; a statement from the agency is still pending.
Mayor Eric Adams stated on social media that he was briefed about the collapse and that city officials are still conducting a full assessment. “Please avoid the area for your safety,” he wrote on X.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed they received 911 calls shortly after 8 AM regarding the incident at the Mitchel Houses. “Upon arrival, officers observed a partial building collapse,” the department said in a statement.
Emergency crews, including firefighters, city building inspectors, and Con Edison utility personnel, quickly established a perimeter to secure the area and assess hazards.
The incident recalls past urban accidents in New York City, such as the July 2023 West Side Manhattan crane fire, where a crane’s arm snapped and fell onto a building below. That incident caused minor injuries but no fatalities. While no injuries have been reported in the Bronx collapse, authorities are continuing a careful search and inspection to ensure the safety of residents and the surrounding area.
Originally reported by HT News Desk in Hindustan Times.
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