A towering crane situated on a skyscraper burst into flames this morning, leading to a partial collapse in New York City.
Injuries were reported for a firefighter and at least four bystanders, according to the authorities.
The scene of the incident was a building still under construction, located at the intersection of 10th Avenue and West 41st Street. The building is roughly 40 stories high as per officials.
When the blaze broke out, the crane operator was present at the location. However, he was unable to extinguish the fire and was compelled to evacuate. Despite the circumstances, he managed to escape unscathed. A segment of the crane toppled onto 10th Avenue.
Due to concerns of potential further collapse, authorities initiated evacuation protocols for the surrounding buildings.
Footage from the scene depicted firefighters spraying water onto the blaze from a neighboring building. Thick, black smoke was seen spewing from the crane, obscuring the sky above the bustling streets below.
The firefighters sought assistance from a master rigger, an individual who oversees crane operations, while an NYPD helicopter was dispatched to survey the situation from above.
On a regular day, it’s typical to have one crane operator and about 50 people working in close proximity to the crane, as informed by the authorities.
For more info on crane related accidents in NYC, CLICK HERE.