A crane fire occurred in New York City on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, leading to a collapse that injured 12 people. The incident took place near 550 10th Ave. and 41st St. in Midtown Manhattan, where a 180-foot-long construction crane boom plunged 45 stories to the streets below.
The fire began in the engine compartment of the crane, 45 stories above the street, and was initially caused by a hydraulic fluid leak that ignited on a hot plate.
The crane was lifting 16 tons of concrete when the fire broke out, and the flames weakened the cable, causing the boom and its load to fall onto a neighboring building.
The fire led to a dramatic scene with thick black smoke visible across the skyline, and pedestrians fled the area as debris fell. FDNY firefighters and over 200 emergency workers responded to the scene, with the fire being extinguished by 9 a.m..
The crane operator, who was on the machine, tried to put out the fire but had to evacuate, and he was not injured.
The New York City Department of Buildings initiated an investigation into the incident, and the site was temporarily closed for safety. Officials stated that the buildings involved remained structurally sound, and no significant damage was reported.
The incident occurred near the Port Authority Bus Terminal and the Lincoln Tunnel, and surrounding streets were closed to traffic during the response.
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