Structural beams buckle in Manhattan construction site, prompting evacuations
Two support beams on the 21st floor of a Manhattan building under renovation buckled, leading to evacuations of the site and nearby structures, with no injuries reported.
Two structural support beams on the 21st floor of a 37-story building under construction at 235 East 42nd Street began to buckle early Tuesday, prompting officials to order evacuations and close nearby streets. The fire department received a call around 8 a.m. about falling bricks, and the police were alerted shortly thereafter. Construction workers on the floor reported the columns were collapsing, and video taken by a worker showed the steel beams failing.
The Department of Buildings said at least nine adjacent buildings were also evacuated as a precaution. No injuries have been reported. Police closed pedestrian and vehicle traffic on East 42nd Street between Second and Third avenues to facilitate the response, and city traffic cameras captured the extensive emergency activity.
The structure, formerly Pfizer's global headquarters, is being converted into a luxury rental complex with 1,500 units. The Department of Buildings confirmed it holds an active construction permit and has inspectors on site, while both the department and the NYPD said investigations are ongoing. The fire department plans to hold a press conference later today.