A Midtown Manhattan office building undergoing renovation into luxury apartments was evacuated Tuesday morning due to fears it is on the verge of collapse. Construction workers on site noticed cracks and buckling columns, leading to the immediate evacuation of the structure.
The incident prompted the closure and evacuation of several streets and buildings in the vicinity of East 42nd Street and Second Avenue. The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) is investigating the situation as a "major technical rescue response." Inspectors from the New York City Department of Buildings are also present at the scene.
Reports indicate that the stress from ongoing construction work may have caused the 21st to 26th floors of the building to cave in. The building formerly housed the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer.
Commuters have been advised to avoid the area as emergency responders secure the scene and assess the structural integrity of the building.