Manhattan Skyscraper Under Construction Evacuated Over Collapse Fears

An unfinished skyscraper in Manhattan, formerly the headquarters of pharmaceutical company Pfizer, was evacuated by New York City firefighters on Tuesday amid concerns of a potential structural collapse. The emergency began after a call reported falling bricks at the 38-story building located at 235 East 42nd Street, near Grand Central Station.

Firefighters are on the scene investigating reports of structural problems. During an inspection, authorities found that two interior support columns were failing and that several upper floors had sunk. The building was undergoing renovations to convert office spaces into apartments and add at least 10 stories.

Construction workers inside the building were evacuated. As a precaution, authorities also ordered the evacuation of nine surrounding buildings, including a hotel and a preschool. "Fortunately, there have been no injuries to report at this time, all workers are safe, the building has been evacuated, several tall buildings in the area are also being evacuated at this time and a school with about 400 children has also been evacuated," stated Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

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Fortunately, there have been no injuries to report at this time, all workers are safe, the building has been evacuated, several tall buildings in the area are also being evacuated at this time and a school with about 400 children has also been evacuated.