A crane catches fire and collapses from the 45th floor of a skyscraper in Manhattan, New York, spreading panic among pedestrians on the street. It is believed that the accident was caused by a fire from the vehicle’s engine.
Crane catches fire and collapses in New York, fear in Manhattan
First a sudden blaze, then a thick column of black smoke silhouetted towards the sky, and, finally, a crane that tilts and crashes into the facade of a skyscraper. It happened in New York, under the astonished gaze of pedestrians strolling on the sidewalks of Hudson Yards in Manhattan.
Terrified by the collapse of the crane and by the danger looming from above, people began to disperse and flee in panic in an attempt to save themselves.
The hoist, which was located on the 45th floor of a skyscraper located at 550 10 Avenue, fell at around 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 26 after the engine exploded, setting the flames. The worker in charge of the crane engaged in lifting 16-ton concrete blocks tried to put out the fire. Despite the use of a fire extinguisher, every attempt proved to be in vain.
An investigation has been opened into the matter. At the moment, it is assumed that the fire was the cause of the collapse. Meanwhile, following the accident, the authorities have closed the entire area between 41 and 42 to traffic.
Six injured, none life-threatening
In light of the information released so far, six citizens – including two firefighters – were injured in the accident. None of the injured, however, is in serious condition or life-threatening. “This is a good day because it could have ended much worse,” said Deputy Fire Commissioner Joseph Pfeifer. To clean up the area, it was necessary to resort to the intervention of over two hundred firefighters.
The dramatic event was filmed by several people and tourists who were on the spot. The images were circulated on social media and quickly went viral.