Partial Collapse of NYC Apartment Building Following Explosion

Thu Dec 11 2025 14:22:50 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A significant section of a Bronx residential building partially collapsed, reportedly due to an explosion, leading to an emergency response but thankfully no injuries.

A 20-storey residential building in the Bronx partially collapsed after an explosion in its boiler room ventilation shaft. Authorities confirm no injuries but have evacuated some residents as investigations are underway to determine if a gas leak was the cause. The building had previous safety violations tied to its maintenance.

A section of a 20-storey residential building partially collapsed in New York City on Wednesday morning, and authorities say there are no injuries.

Firefighters and emergency responders searched into the afternoon for anyone who may have been trapped under the mounds of rubble outside the building, which is part of a public housing development in the Bronx.

The whole building just - you heard a loud boom, and the thing just exploded, and it fell down just like that, said one witness who spoke with CBS News.

The collapse seems to have originated from an explosion in the ventilation shaft of a boiler room. No apartments were damaged, but as a precautionary measure, some residents have been evacuated. Others were allowed to return, but the gas to the building has been shut off as authorities investigate.

A comprehensive investigation will determine whether a gas leak caused the explosion. The New York City Housing Authority, which manages the complex, stated that it is currently investigating the incident and assessing the extent of the damage, with the building having a few open violations against it.

NYC Department of Buildings issued a partial stop work order related to a plumbing issue in June, and there are two other active violations pertaining to facade safety inspections.

Assembly member Amanda Septimo emphasized the importance of ensuring community safety and highlighted that the situation could have been much worse, saying, We were lucky that this emergency didn't result in a loss of life, that it didn't turn into a tragedy.