A major section of a 20-story residential building in New York City experienced a partial collapse on Wednesday morning, with authorities stating that no injuries have been reported so far. Emergency services are currently on-site, conducting searches for anyone who might be trapped amidst the debris.
The incident occurred in a building within a public housing development in the Bronx. Witnesses described hearing a loud explosion followed by the structure giving way. One witness reported that a window on the 16th floor of an adjacent building fell due to the force of the incident.
Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker suggested that the collapse may have been caused by an explosion originating from the boiler room’s ventilation shaft. While no apartments themselves were damaged, some residents have been evacuated as a safety measure. The building’s gas supply has been shut off while investigations are underway to determine the exact cause, which Mayor Eric Adams indicated could be a gas leak.
The New York City Housing Authority is investigating the structural damage and the building’s history, which includes several active violations. These violations pertain to facade safety and plumbing issues, with one noting an unsafe facade. There are also ongoing investigations into non-safety related boiler violations.
This incident follows a fire in the same building just a week prior, which left a teenage girl in critical condition. Fortunately, she is reportedly recovering.
Local officials have stressed the importance of proactive safety measures, highlighting that the community cannot rely solely on luck to ensure resident safety.
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