New York apartment building partially collapses; no injuries reported

Emergency services are responding to a major incident in New York City following reports of an explosion that led to a partial building collapse in a high-rise residential complex. The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) confirmed that the collapse involved the building’s incinerator shaft, which gave way inside a 20-storey multi-dwelling structure. The location of the incident has not yet been publicly disclosed. Unverified videos posted on social media appear to show a large section of the building’s exterior missing, with debris scattered around the site. While the authenticity of these videos has not been confirmed, they match early descriptions of the scene.

Watch the video here

As of now, there have been no reports of injuries. Emergency operations are ongoing, and fire crews are continuing to assess the structural stability of the remaining portions of the building. The FDNY has released an aerial photograph from the scene, showing a significant chunk of the building’s facade collapsed, with emergency personnel actively working in and around the area.

New York Mayor Eric Adams said, “There was a partial building infrastructure collapse due to some type of explosion this morning. There are no injuries reported, and authorities are still investigating the cause of the incident.” Adams also said that starting October 1, building heaters will be activated for the colder months, prompting many residents to start up their boilers. He also emphasized the importance of taking safety measures when dealing with gas appliances.

Eva Trimble, NYCHA's Chief Operating Officer, reassured that all public housing boilers undergo thorough inspections during the summer. She also mentioned that they are currently awaiting the findings of an ongoing investigation.

Assembly member Amanda Septimo, who represents the building's district, expressed relief that no lives were lost in the incident. "However, we can't depend on luck to ensure the safety of our community," Septimo said. She stressed the importance of a thorough investigation to determine exactly what happened and who should be held accountable.