Bronx Apartment Building Collapses After Reported Explosion

Emergency crews rushed to the Bronx on Wednesday morning after a partial collapse at a public housing apartment building on Alexander Avenue. According to NYC Deputy Mayor Kaz Daughtry, the incident occurred at 8:10 a.m. ET when an incinerator shaft inside the high-rise failed, tearing a massive hole in the building’s side.

Mayor Eric Adams said during a midday press conference that a preliminary investigation suggests an explosion may have triggered the collapse. The FDNY had first received reports of an explosion just after 8 a.m., and Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker confirmed onsite that units arrived to find “a major collapse of a structure attached to this building behind us.”

Evacuations, Gas Shutoff, and Active Violations

So far, officials have reported no injuries or fatalities. Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson stated the incident occurred in the boiler room and emphasized that residents were being evacuated out of an abundance of caution. Displaced tenants from F and G apartments were directed to a nearby community center for care and support.

In a separate update from NYC Emergency Management, Con Edison confirmed that gas service was shut off in the building as a precaution. City records show the property has multiple open violations listed with the NYC Department of Buildings, including three boiler-related citations. “Those were for non-safety related defects,” said NYC DOB Commissioner James S. Oddo at the scene, noting there’s no evidence yet that violations contributed to the collapse.

Mayor Adams has urged residents to stay clear of the area while inspections continue. Assembly Member Amanda Septimo, calling for accountability, told reporters, “We can’t be relying on luck to keep our communities safe. We send resources down from the state to make sure that boilers get fixed, to make sure that elevators get replaced. We have to get a clear accounting of what happened and who is responsible.”