Bronx building collapse

 What happened — immediate facts & timeline

• On October 1, 2025, at about 8:10 a.m., a gas explosion was reported in a high-rise public housing building in the Mitchel Houses in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx, New York City. 6abc Philadelphia+3AP News+3ABC7 New York+3

• The explosion severely damaged an incinerator shaft within the building, causing a partial structural collapse — a vertical “slice” of the building’s corner was torn away, from near the ground floor up toward the roof. 

• Importantly, as of the latest reports, no injuries have been confirmed. 

• The building is part of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) public housing in the Mitchel Houses complex. 

• The collapse zone is being secured, and agencies including FDNY, NYPD, DOB (Dept. of Buildings), NYC EM, and Con Edison responded. 

• The gas supply to the impacted building has been shut off by Con Edison as a precaution. 

• A collapsed underground water main was also reported, likely a result of the explosion’s force and subsequent structural damage. ABC7 New York+1

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Location & building details

• Address / vicinity: Alexander Avenue near East 135th / 137th Street in the Bronx.

• The building is a 20-story public housing tower in the Mitchel Houses complex. 

• The Mitchel Houses is a large NYCHA development with many residents (thousands of people live across multiple buildings). 

• Some of the building’s elevators were reported out of service following the explosion. 

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Witness & resident accounts

• Residents described a loud boom, akin to an explosion or blast, followed by the building shaking or “falling” on one side. CBS News+2ABC7 New York+2

• Some reported coming downstairs in panic, with minimal clothing, carrying children, etc. 

• Others said they smelled gas in the building before the explosion, raising concerns about prior gas leaks. 

• One resident said they felt the building move, comparing the sensation to an earthquake. 

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Possible cause, structural concerns & investigation

• The initial assessment suggests the collapse was triggered by an explosion in the building’s incinerator shaft (or chimney / trash-burning chute) system, which then caused part of the structural side to fail. CBS News+4AP News+46abc Philadelphia+4

• Whether the explosion originated from a natural gas line, a malfunction in utilities, or internal heating/trash incineration systems is under investigation. 

• The Department of Buildings is assessing whether residential units were structurally impacted, and whether more of the building is at risk. 

• The building had active violations and a partial stop-work order on record prior to this event — although it’s not yet clear if those were related to this collapse. 

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Risks & consequences

• Even though no injuries have been reported, debris, falling bricks, broken glass, or further collapse pose serious dangers to residents, passersby, and first responders.

• Structural instability remains a risk until the full integrity of the remaining building is assessed.

• Displaced residents may lose access to their homes or essential services (gas, water, electricity) while repairs, inspections, and evacuations are ongoing.

• Utility infrastructure (gas lines, water mains) might have been compromised, requiring extended shutdowns or repairs.

• This incident spotlights concerns about aging public housing infrastructure: many NYCHA buildings are decades old and struggle with deferred maintenance, mold, heating issues, and code violations. AP News

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Official responses & current status

• NYCHA says it is coordinating with responding agencies and evaluating damage. 

• Mayor Eric Adams was briefed and urged people to avoid the area for safety. 

• The Fire Department reported no immediate injuries and continues to secure the scene. 

• The Office of Buildings (DOB) is evaluating structural safety and the scope of damage to apartments. 

• The collapse zone is under control, and first responders are using drones, K9 units, and ground teams to ensure no one is trapped. AP News+1

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If you like, I can fetch updated reports (later today or tomorrow) to see if there were any injuries later discovered, how many residents were displaced, or the final cause determined. Do you want me to monitor this and send you the latest update?

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