The fire and subsequent collapse of a crane onto a public road startled the citizens of New York. Five people were injured, including a firefighter, and neighboring buildings were evacuated.
FDNY units are currently operating at a crane collapse and fire at 550 Tenth Avenue in Manhattan. pic.twitter.com/AvzlymMEtp
— FDNY (@FDNY) July 26, 2023
The crane's cab suddenly caught on fire
The NYPD explained that the crane was working at 570 10th Avenue, a property under construction, when the cab area suddenly caught fire. As a result of the fire, the upper part collapsed, and several parts of the machine crashed into a building across the street before crashing to the ground.
WATCH: The Moment Crane COLLAPSED after Burning on Skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan.
Upper arm of crane collapsed, striking a joining building. NYPD Aviation reports HEAVY FIRE. FD streams are barely able to hit the fire.
(video @jimmy_farring) pic.twitter.com/QV0XbhYnuV
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) July 26, 2023
Five injured, three hospitalized
As a result of the impact, four bystanders were injured, in addition to one firefighter. Although the injuries were not life-threatening, three of them required hospitalization. In addition, the accident caused traffic problems in the city, as several streets were closed. Police asked New Yorkers to use alternate routes.
ADVISORY: Due to a crane collapse, please avoid the area of 10th Avenue and 11th Avenue from West 41 Street to West 42 Street. Please use alternate routes and expect traffic in the area. pic.twitter.com/gpXIs4nF2s
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) July 26, 2023
"This could have been much worse"
New York City Mayor Eric Adams was on the scene and analyzed that, "As you see from the debris on the street, this could have been much worse. We are extremely fortunate, number one, that we are not during busy time of day."
Join us now in midtown for an update on this morning's crane collapse.https://t.co/OnomSvSKbp
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) July 26, 2023
