A significant gas explosion led to the partial collapse of an apartment block in the Bronx, New York, prompting the swift response of emergency services. Video footage captured visible cracks along the side of a high-rise structure in the Mott Haven area, with the incident occurring at 8:30 am local time today.
The building, situated on Alexander Avenue near East 135th Street, witnessed the collapse, urging motorists to steer clear of the vicinity. Former New York governor and mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo commended the city’s firefighters for their valor, highlighting the bravery and sacrifice of all first responders in New York.
New York mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani expressed gratitude that no injuries had been reported in the aftermath of the partial building collapse. Inspectors from the New York Department of Buildings are en route to the site, following reports from locals who had detected a gas odor before the explosion occurred.
Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry confirmed the launch of a search and rescue operation, emphasizing that no injuries had been reported thus far. Authorities attributed the collapse to an incinerator shaft failure within the apartment block, leading to a significant crack.
Emergency personnel and fire crews are actively engaged in managing the situation, with a police cordon in place outside the affected building. New York Mayor Eric Adams remains abreast of the emergency situation, urging residents to avoid the area for safety reasons.
A statement from the New York Fire Department alerted the public to expect traffic delays and increased emergency presence in the vicinity. Witnesses in the Bronx neighborhood noted that the collapsed section of the building housed gas pipes, with debris scattered around, linking the explosion to the gas pipes’ malfunction.
Images from the scene depict a split in the block of flats, underscoring the severity of the incident. Authorities advise residents to seek alternate routes due to potential traffic disruptions caused by the explosion.
