An entire corner of a New York City apartment building collapsed after a reported gas explosion inside the apartment block.
According to the New York City Fire Department, the blast caused the incinerator shaft to collapse at 205 Alexander Ave in the Bronx borough of the city.
The explosion happened shortly after 8AM on Wednesday morning at the Mitchel Houses building, a high-rise that makes up an 11-building complex in the area.
Fire officials confirmed that nobody was injured, with images showing a corner of the 20-story building having completely fallen from the structure.
The gas in the building was shut off with residents evacuated from the building as emergency crews swarmed the area.
Aerial shots taken at the scene showed a large pile of rubble at the bottom of the gaping hole left by the collapse, with air conditioning units seen amongst the pile.
K-9 units were seen sniffing around the debris alongside their handlers as locals watched on.
A large number of emergency vehicles were also seen in the area, with nearby streets closed off.
The blast caused the incinerator shaft to collapse inside 205 Alexander Ave in the Bronx borough of the city
The entire corner of the multi-story building collapsed on Wednesday morning
Inspectors with the city's Department of Buildings are on the scene alongside crews from Con Edison as they investigate the collapse.
A spokesperson for the FDNY said: 'Early reports are of an explosion in a building chimney.
'Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause.'
Local resident Diamond Freeman told PIX11: 'When you looked out, the whole building just went boom, it fell.
'Then you heard another boom, and all the side of the building just fell. It was crazy. All you see is smoke.'
Mayor Eric Adams said in a post to his X: 'New Yorkers, I have been briefed about the emergency situation taking place in the Mott Haven area of the Bronx.
'We are getting a full assessment from first responders and will continue to provide updates. Please avoid the area for your safety.'
Inspectors with the city's Department of Buildings are on the scene alongside crews from Con Edison
Fire officials confirmed that nobody has been injured
The debris from the collapse fell onto the streets below, which included a children's playground
The gas in the building was shut off with residents evacuated from the building as emergency crews swarmed the area
Deputy mayor for public safety Kaz Daughtry shared drone footage of the collapse, saying that search-and-rescue missions would continue.
According to Daughtry residents in the F & G apartment buildings were asked to evacuate 'out of an abundance of caution'.
The city's official emergency notification system, NYCEM, urged locals to avoid the area.
It comes one week after a fire in the building left a teenage girl in a medically induced coma after she suffered critical injuries.
