At around 8 a.m. on Tuesday morning, a high-rise building in Midtown Manhattan's commercial district was evacuated due to structural issues inside the under-construction building.
Located at 235 East 42nd Street, the building's floor began caving in, and structural beams began buckling. Construction workers at the site discovered the structural problems, which prompted the evacuation of all personnel from the building.
According to officials, the workers noticed cracks inside the building and spotted structural support beams beginning to buckle on the 21st and 22nd floors. The FDNY units, along with representatives from the Department of Buildings and NYC Emergency Management, responded to the scene.
An investigation into the cause of the structural issues is ongoing, but officials have confirmed that the building's 37-story structure is currently being converted from a commercial office building to a residential building.
Chief of Department John Esposito stated that the situation is "very serious" due to the buckling of steel beams, which have started to bend and deflect from the weight. The FDNY's drones have provided technical information and visuals for partner agencies as assessments are conducted.
Approximately 150 FDNY fire and EMS members responded to the scene, and all workers were accounted for as of 1 p.m. on Tuesday. The surrounding area, including 42nd and 43rd streets near 2nd Avenue, was closed due to the danger.
A worker from inside the building described the scene, stating that the beams began to crumble and the floors started to sag. The worker noted that the project was a total renovation, involving the gutting of the building and the addition of another 16 stories.
Video footage from the scene shows chaos surrounding the site, with commuters navigating street closures due to the emergency response. The investigation into the cause of the structural issues is ongoing, and officials are working to assess the damage and ensure the safety of those involved.
