Construction workers evacuated a Midtown Manhattan high-rise Tuesday morning after spotting structural beams beginning to buckle, prompting officials to clear nearby buildings and close multiple streets.
The incident was reported around 8 a.m. at 235 East 42nd Street, where the former Pfizer headquarters is being converted from office space into apartments.
Workers noticed structural support beams on the building’s 21st and 22nd floors beginning to buckle and immediately evacuated the site, FDNY officials said.
The structural failure caused floors 21 through 26 of the 38-story building to begin collapsing inward under the stress, according to investigators.
As a precaution, the FDNY ordered evacuations at the following buildings:
- 815 Second Avenue
- 235 East 42nd Street
- 210 East 43rd Street
- 212 East 43rd Street
- 211 East 43rd Street
- 225 East 43rd Street
- 231 East 43rd Street
- 235 East 43rd Street
The evacuation included the Hampton Inn Manhattan Grand Central at 231 East 43rd Street, where guests were asked to leave their rooms.
Officials also shut down pedestrian and vehicle traffic on East 42nd Street between Second and Third avenues. The FDNY requested an additional closure on East 44th Street between Second and Third avenues while crews assessed the building.
No injuries were immediately reported.
Officials continue to investigate what caused the structural failure.
FDNY officials were expected to provide an update on the situation at a press conference later Tuesday morning.
