NEW YORK − A high-rise public housing building partially collapsed along a ventilation shaft all the way down to the boiler room in the South Bronx in what firefighters are investigating as a gas explosion on Oct. 1.

At about 8:10 a.m. ET, New York City firefighters received reports of a gas explosion from the 20-story New York City Housing Authority building on Alexander Avenue, the New York City Fire Department said in an email to USA TODAY. The incinerator shaft collapsed, resulting in a gas leak, FDNY said.

Early reports indicate the explosion came from a chimney within the Mitchel Houses building, according to a statement from the NYCHA. Teams are investigating the extent of the damage, which has been reported as "exterior damage to the chimney," NYCHA said.

"We are extremely fortunate at this time we have no loss of life or no injures," Mayor Eric Adams said.

Local TV news station footage showed debris falling onto city streets from a building that had significant strips blown off over several stories. Residents stood outside of the public housing complex, chattering about what they heard or saw as streets and sidewalks remained closed. The building at 205 Alexander Ave. had exposed and broken bricks for several stories where the explosion took place in the southwestern corner.

Demolition to begin removing debris

Some residents in wings near the chimney were evacuated and crews are working to ensure the building remains structurally sound for residents, officials said.

All gas to the building has been shut off, Adams said. Some demolition will begin on Oct. 1 to remove the remnants of the collapsed chimney, access the basement and boiler room and to restore services to the building such as heat, hot water and cooking gas, Emergency Management Commissioner Zachary Iscol said.

Meanwhile, some residents were expressing anxiety about the next steps to determine safety and minimize disruption to their lives, said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson.

"This is something that has happened before," Gibson said, referencing a 2023 collapse in the Bronx. "I’m so grateful that no one lost their life. No one is in the hospital."

Investigators working to determine cause of collapse

Officials said in a news conference later in the morning that it was a ventilation shaft that collapsed at the building in the Mott Haven neighborhood.

"We believe that's where the explosion occurred," New York Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker said, adding that investigators will work to determine the exact cause.

Adams noted that Oct. 1 is the date the housing authority turns on boilers and switches over to heating systems for the season. According to NYCHA Chief Operating Officer Eva Trimble, the boiler systems in all public housing complexes are tested before they are turned on for the cold season.

City emergency management officials said people should use alternate routes as they expect traffic delays and emergency personnel near the area.

The city Department of Buildings said on X that inspectors were part of the investigation at NYCHA’s Mitchel Houses.

Previous NYC building collapses have been disastrous

The Oct. 1 collapse comes after previous building collapses in recent years have displaced residents and caused injuries and at least one death.

In April 2023, a Manhattan parking garage pancaked in on itself, sending cars tumbling over each other as concrete floors fell down to the cellar level. One person was killed and several were injured; all were employees of the parking garage. Investigators determined earlier this year in a report that the collapse was caused by unauthorized structural modifications made by employees.

In December of the same year, another Bronx apartment building partially collapsed, displacing over 140 residents but miraculously leaving just two with minor injuries. Previous inspections on that building had found unsafe conditions.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New York high-rise partially collapses in South Bronx, FDNY says

Reporting by Eduardo Cuevas and Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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