'Buckling' beams at Manhattan high-rise under construction trigger evacuations

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Source: NBC 4 New York

Manhattan

‘Buckling' beams at Manhattan high-rise under construction trigger evacuations

The building, formerly Pfizer's global headquarters, is being converted into a 1,500-unit luxury rental complex. It was evacuated, along with neighboring buildings. A press conference is expected.

By Jennifer Millman • Published 2 hours ago • Updated 6 minutes ago

Two structural support beams on the 21st floor of a 37-story under-construction building in Manhattan started buckling Tuesday morning, triggering evacuations, street closures, and a large emergency response, officials say.

The FDNY said it got a call around 8 a.m. about bricks falling from the building at 235 East 42nd Street, between Second and Third avenues. The NYPD says it got a 911 call about the incident less than 15 minutes later.

When cops got to the scene, the NYPD says officers were told that construction workers on the 21st floor of the 37-story commercial building saw the columns beginning to collapse.

Read more: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/manhattan/fdny-responds-to-report-of-buckling-building-in-manhattan/6522605/