A ventilation shaft at a public housing building in the south Bronx collapsed Wednesday morning, forcing some residents to evacuate, but injuring no one, authorities said.<\/p>\n
Emergency crews responded to reports of an explosion at NYCHA\u2019s Mitchel Houses in Mott Haven just after 8 a.m., FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker said at a news briefing.<\/p>\n
What You Need To Know<\/p>\n
A ventilation shaft at a NYCHA building in the south Bronx collapsed Wednesday morning, forcing some residents to evacuate, but injuring no one, authorities said<\/p>\n
Residents along the building’s F and G lines were evacuated, and a reception center with Red Cross assistance was set up at the Mitchell Community Center<\/p>\n
Inspectors are checking the building\u2019s safety while crews work to clear debris and restore heat, hot water and gas service<\/p>\n
FDNY units arrived within four minutes of the first call and found that a ventilation shaft connected to a boiler had collapsed, he said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
In a statement, NYCHA said early reports pointed to an explosion in the building\u2019s chimney as the possible cause, but noted that an investigation is ongoing.<\/p>\n
Residents living in apartments along the building\u2019s F and G lines were evacuated, Mayor Eric Adams said. Street closures and traffic restrictions remain in place while inspections continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are extremely fortunate. At this time, we have no loss of life or no injuries,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an all-hands-on-deck moment, and we avoided a major disaster here,\u201d Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson added.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re anticipating that most of the residents will be able to go back, with the exception of F and G, which we have inspectors \u2014 engineering inspectors \u2014 conducting an assessment of those units now, just because they were in close proximity to the chimney. But it is anticipated that the yellow units should be fine and that people can go back,\u201d City Councilmember Diana Ayala, who represents the Bronx district, said.<\/p>\n
Officials have set up a reception center for impacted residents at the Mitchell Community Center on Alexander Avenue, New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol said.<\/p>\n
Tenants can register with the Red Cross there and receive assistance if longer-term relocation becomes necessary, Iscol said.<\/p>\n
The Red Cross said it has registered 31 households for emergency assistance, including 74 adults and 24 children.<\/p>\n
The FDNY is responding to a partial building collapse at 207 Alexander Avenue in the Bronx. pic.twitter.com\/Gxuf1re87u<\/a><\/p>\n