Multiple buildings in Manhattan evacuated after steel building beam compromised
According to officials, the location is an active permitted construction site to convert the existing commercial office building into a residential building.
Multiple buildings in Manhattan have been evacuated after a steel beam was compromised.
Department of Buildings inspectors were called to the scene at 235 East 42nd St. to investigate reports of a steel beam that was compromised on the 21st floor of the existing building.
According to officials, the location is an active, permitted construction site to convert the existing commercial office building into a residential building.
"On arrival, there was an assessment done and it was determined to be unstable. So, we started evacuations of the building and surrounding areas, establishing a collapse zone," shared FDNY Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore.
On Tuesday, frozen zones were issued from 40th to 45th streets, between 1st and 3rd avenues.
Roughly 150 fire and EMS crews were on scene, as a portion of the building continued to shift.
"The boxed beams, the steel beams, have started to bend and deflect from the weight. And the building has continued to move since we've been on the scene," said FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito during a noon press conference.
First responders noted they did not see any bricks falling while they were on the scene. The building originally had 22 floors, but construction was being done to add additional floors.
FDNY drones are being used to assess the building until it is safe to reenter.
"For the way this building is constructed. It's a steel frame building, so it would not be a total collapse. It would be more of a localized collapse, but that remains our concern," Esposito continued during the press conference.
No injuries reported to the DOB associated with the incident.
