Support columns in a Midtown Manhattan high‑rise buckled, causing the building to become unstable. The incident prompted evacuations of the building and nearby structures, as well as street closures in the area.

The high‑rise, located at 235 East 42nd Street at the corner of East 42nd Street and Second Avenue, was formerly Pfizer’s global headquarters and is being converted into residential rentals. The conversion plan calls for 1,500 residential units.

Multiple cracks and sagging floors were observed after the columns buckled, and bricks fell onto the street below. According to DW, the fire chief said the building was in danger of a localized collapse. The FDNY received a call around 8 a.m. reporting bricks falling from the building, and the NYPD received a 911 call about the incident less than 15 minutes after the FDNY call.

Workers began emergency repairs to stabilise the building after the columns buckled. Streets reopened around the high‑rise after stabilization work was completed, according to ABC Australia.