NYC HIGH-RISE EVACUATED AFTER STRUCTURAL BEAMS BUCKLE

An under-construction high-rise building at 235 East 42nd Street near Grand Central Terminal in New York City was evacuated after construction workers discovered cracks and buckling support beams. Emergency responders were called to the site around 8 a.m. As workers began evacuating the building, structural stress caused floors 21 through 26 to begin caving in, according to reports. The New York City Fire Department confirmed its involvement in a "major technical rescue response" at the location. No injuries have been reported.

The building previously housed offices for pharmaceutical company Pfizer and is currently being converted into a residential building containing over 1,600 apartments. The construction project was scheduled for completion in 2027. Workers discovered the buckling support beams on the 21st and 22nd floors, triggering the evacuation.

The New York City Fire Department's involvement in the rescue response reflects the severity of the structural concerns that prompted the building evacuation. Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the cause of the beam damage or the timeline for assessing the building's structural integrity.