Morning commuters in New York’s Bronx were jolted on Wednesday when part of a 20-storey public housing building suddenly collapsed, leaving one corner of the structure reduced to rubble. The incident took place around 8:10 am at 207 Alexander Avenue in the Mitchel Houses complex, a dense residential cluster in the Mott Haven area.
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) confirmed that the collapse triggered a massive dust cloud, sending residents running for cover. Eyewitness videos shared online showed debris cascading from the rooftop to the ground, blanketing the block in seconds.
Emergency response and first reports
The New York Police Department said it began receiving multiple 911 calls just after 8 am. “Upon arrival, officers observed a partial building collapse,” the NYPD said in a statement.
Within minutes, firefighters, police, building inspectors and Con Edison utility crews cordoned off the area, setting up a safety perimeter to prevent further chaos. Despite the dramatic visuals, no injuries were immediately reported, though officials cautioned that the situation was fluid as crews continued to search the site.
Mayor Eric Adams urged caution, posting on X (formerly Twitter): “New Yorkers, I have been briefed about the emergency situation taking place in the Mott Haven area of the Bronx. Please avoid the area for your safety.”
What could have caused it?
Authorities said the collapse may have involved an incinerator shaft, a once-standard feature in older New York apartment blocks that were used to burn trash. Investigators are also exploring whether a gas explosion might have triggered the failure, or whether age and design flaws of the decades-old structure played a role.
The building, part of the New York City Housing Authority’s Mitchel Houses, was built in the mid-20th century. Experts say aging infrastructure in public housing complexes has long been a concern, with outdated systems sometimes posing hidden risks.
Residents recount panic
For residents, the moment felt surreal. Videos showed people sprinting from the building as the corner collapsed, with dust covering cars, sidewalks and nearby storefronts. “It felt like the ground shook, then I saw smoke and everyone started screaming,” said one eyewitness in a clip circulated on social media.
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