Tragedy struck New York City on Wednesday morning when a crane caught fire and collapsed into a nearby building, leaving five people injured, including a firefighter, as reported by the New York Post. The incident occurred at 570 10th Avenue, an under-construction vacant building close to Hudson Yards, between West 41st and West 42nd Streets.
At around 7:30 a.m., the crane’s cabin area unexpectedly burst into flames, sending thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky. As panic ensued, the top portion of the crane crashed into a building across the street before plummeting to the ground.
Amidst the chaos, pedestrians sought safety while car horns blared in alarm, causing pandemonium on the streets. One witness, Heidi Elmore, shared her experience on social media, capturing the devastating scene on video and tweeting, “Welcome to New York. Crane next to my hotel is on fire and collapsing so we had to evacuate.”
Mayor Adams promptly visited the scene to assess the situation, and the NYPD urged residents to avoid the area and find alternative routes due to anticipated traffic congestion. Their tweet read, “Avoid 10th Avenue and 11th Avenue from West 41 Street to West 42 Street due to a crane collapse.”
This heart-wrenching incident recalls a similar tragedy that occurred in 2016, when a massive construction crane toppled in downtown Manhattan, claiming the life of a Harvard-trained mathematician and injuring three others.
As investigations into the cause of the fire and collapse unfold, New York City remains on high alert. Social media platforms have been inundated with videos and images of the event, prompting authorities to disseminate essential updates and warnings to keep the public informed.
