Firefighters evacuated construction workers and nearby buildings after two structural columns buckled inside a 38-story Manhattan high-rise

By Thomas Tracy
New York Daily News

NEW YORK — Construction workers at a Midtown Manhattan skyscraper were evacuated Tuesday after two interior columns began to buckle — leading first responders to fear a collapse could be imminent, FDNY officials said.

The FDNY was called to 235 E. 42nd St. near Second Ave. just before 8 a.m. when bricks began falling from the 38-story building.

| BETTER EVERY SHIFT: Cold storage close call

Once they made their way inside, firefighters saw that two columns had buckled on the 21st and 22nd floors, causing floors to sag between the 21st and 26th floors, officials said.

Firefighters evacuated the construction crew working on the building as well as several surrounding buildings as a precaution.

The city’s Department of Buildings is conducting an inspection.

Construction workers were evacuated from a Midtown Manhattan skyscraper at 235 E. 42nd St. at Second Ave. Tuesday, July 7, 2026, after two interior columns began to buckle.

Barry Williams /TNS

Firefighters gathered to remember three wildland firefighters who died after becoming trapped by flames, as crews continue battling dozens of active wildfires across the West

Newark officials say the department has strengthened shipboard firefighting training, safety procedures and specialized response capabilities

Carteret firefighters escaped without injury after a surfacing whale struck Marine 2, forcing the crew to abandon ship

FDNY crews quickly extinguished flames on the Brooklyn Bridge during New York City’s fireworks show

©2026 New York Daily News.
Visit nydailynews.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Bidding closes July 1 at 2 p.m. for the NASCAR champion’s “Helmet of Heroes” from the 2026 DAYTONA 500