Petrifying new photos show sagging Manhattan skyscraper that continues to move after buckled beams triggered mass evacuation… as city official insists any collapse will be ‘localized’
Petrified new photos show a sagging Midtown Manhattan office building evacuated after two beams buckled and several floors collapsed.
City officials say the 33-story skyscraper on East 42nd Street remains unstable and “has continued to move since we arrived on scene.”
However, experts insist that any collapse would be local and that the high-rise would not topple due to its steel supports.
Construction crews evacuated the skyscraper on East 42nd Street just after 8 a.m. Tuesday after noticing two support beams began to buckle.
The 21st to 26th floors of the building near Grand Central Terminal collapsed under stress, officials said. Numerous cracks and sagging floors were reported throughout the high-rise building.
Horrific footage captured by workers shows huge silver beams on the 21st and 22nd floors buckling and twisting moments before the floor began to crumble.
No injuries were reported, but an evacuation was ordered as a precaution, according to the NYPD. When emergency teams arrived at the scene, 8 nearby buildings were evacuated.
Skyscraperonce home to the pharmaceutical giant PfizerIt was being converted into a 1,500-unit luxury apartment complex.
A construction site worker accused the construction project’s general contractor of irresponsibility following an emergency evacuation.
The Manhattan office building that once housed pharmaceutical giant Pfizer was evacuated Tuesday morning after construction workers noticed cracks and buckling in columns.
Several FDNY crews outside the 33-story skyscraper on East 42nd Street on Tuesday
Horrific footage captured by workers inside the building showed huge silver beams twisting and bending moments before the floor began to crumble.
‘The general contractor chose to remain non-union for this project. “All we want is responsible construction in New York City,” said Cliff Johnson of Steamfitters Local 638. PIX11.
‘They didn’t support the business in the right way. The beams are starting to crumble, the floors are starting to crumble and they might have to evacuate the other side.’
Johnson said the project was a “total renovation” and crews evacuated the entire building.
He added that renovation plans also include adding 11 additional floors to the high-rise.
It appears that Metro Loft Management is overseeing the renovation of the building. The Daily Mail has contacted the company for comment.
Public records show that last year the Office of Administrative Hearings and Hearings (OATH) issued seven violations at the construction site.
The violations, which resulted in fines of more than $32,000, were related to construction safety and have since been resolved.
One of the fines was a $10,000 violation for failure to report a construction incident that resulted in injury to the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB).
DOB investigators responded to the scene Tuesday following the evacuations and are actively investigating the situation.
Officials said the ministry has an active permit for ongoing construction work.
First responders were called to the building near Grand Central Station just after 8 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Eight nearby buildings were also evacuated when emergency crews arrived at the scene.
East 42nd Street between Second and Third avenues was closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic while authorities continued the investigation. Travelers are advised to avoid the area
Construction crews evacuated themselves from the 33-story skyscraper after noticing two support beams on the 21st and 22nd floors began to buckle.
City officials said the cause of Tuesday’s collapse is under investigation.
East 42nd Street between Second and Third avenues is closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Travelers are advised to avoid the area.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani is at the scene of what he described as an ‘extremely serious situation’.
The mayor urged everyone in the area to follow the instructions of first responders at the scene.
‘Fortunately, no injuries have been reported at this time, the condition of all workers has been announced, the building has been evacuated, some high-rise buildings in the area are also currently being evacuated, a school with approximately 400 children has also been evacuated,’ he said.
This is breaking news. Check back for updates.
