Scary scene in New York this Wednesday morning. A crane went up in flames and then partially collapsed onto the street below in Manhattan, injuring several people.
A building was under construction on 10th Avenue between West 41st and 42nd streets in Hell’s Kitchen when people started to notice that a fire broke out shortly before 7:30 a.m. 45 stories up in the air. Video that was shared on social media and captured at the scene showed the dramatic moment the crane’s boom came down, smashing into a building across the street.
According to CBS News, eleven people were hurt, including two firefighters. Thankfully, all of the injuries were described as non-life-threatening. This afternoon, Mayor Eric Adams provided an update while speaking from the scene. While standing alongside the FDNY and Department of Buildings, he said the situation could have been a lot worse, especially considering how busy the area gets around morning rush hour.
“We are extremely fortunate that we were not during the busy time of day,” Adams said. “As you know, Port Authority is here, many of the buses move through here.” First Deputy Commissioner Joseph W. Pfeifer noted that the crane was lifting 16 tons of concrete when the fire broke out.
“There’s a beam that goes out, and that’s carrying the weight of concrete. And that weight of 16 tons is attached by a cable. As the fire heats the cable, the cable weakens to a point where it loses its strength, and that’s when the collapse occurred,” he explained.
Although that couldn’t be avoided at that moment, Pfeifer gave credit to the crane operator for spotting the fire and trying to put it out as soon as possible.
“That crane operator saw that the fire started and tried to extinguish it. So we give a lot of credit to the crane operator. But the fire overwhelmed that operator and had to exit the crane,” he said. “The crane operator was able to get out and is safe.”
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When it comes to the likelihood of a crane collapse in New York City (NYC), it is important to consider various factors that contribute to crane safety. NYC has a robust system in place to ensure the safety and maintenance of cranes, making the likelihood of a collapse relatively low.
The city’s Department of Buildings (DOB) also has stringent regulations and inspection protocols that must be followed by crane operators and construction companies. These regulations include regular inspections, proper training and certification for operators, adherence to load limits, and compliance with safety guidelines.
While no one can guarantee absolute zero risk, NYC’s commitment to enforcing strict regulations, conducting regular inspections, utilizing advanced technology, and prioritizing safety make it highly unlikely for a crane collapse to occur in the city very often.
So far, the NYPD has sent out a tweet, advising people to avoid the area until it’s clear and safe. “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,” the tweet read.
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,
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