37-story NYC building evacuated amid collapse fears

By Dean Murray

A 37-story building in Manhattan is at risk of collapse after structural steel beams buckled.

Hundreds of people, including children at a nearby school, were evacuated from the location that once served as Pfizer’s headquarters.

The New York Fire Department (FDNY) received reports on the morning of Tuesday, July 7, of a structural issue at the construction site being converted from commercial offices into residential use.

FDNY units, as well as representatives from the Department of Buildings and NYC Emergency Management, responded and found structural issues on the 21st floor.

"Two structural columns buckled, and there were multiple cracks and sagging floors," reported the FDNY.

Chief of Department John Esposito said: "It’s a very serious situation because the box beams—the steel beams—have started to bend and deflect from the weight.

"We evacuated the building and started evacuations of surrounding buildings. The building has continued to move since we have been on the scene."

The FDNY says its drones have provided technical information and visuals for its partner agencies as assessments are conducted.

NYC Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani said at a press conference Tuesday night: "We are feeling confident that many of the emergency shoring measures that have been put in place as a result of extensive discussions with the building owner, the contractor, their licensed professional, is stabilizing the situation."