#building-collapse

#building-collapse

The city's fire department said it had no immediate reports of injuries. It said it was responding to a report of a gas explosion that collapsed an incinerator shaft in the 20-story building in the Bronx. Authorities said no residential units were affected. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of this event and the extent of any damage beyond the reported exterior damage to the chimney, the city's Housing authority said in a statement.

The blaze broke out at 481 Van Brunt St., which houses dozens of artist studios and small businesses, at around 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 17, officials said. Flames quickly engulfed the top floors of the building and spread to the roof, forcing firefighters to evacuate. This type of construction is called heavy timber, it's all wood so, once these structural members start going, the fire takes over rather quickly, said FDNY Assistant Deputy Chief Kevin Woods.

Authorities are probing Xin Ke Yuan Steel and another Chinese contractor involved in the construction to find out why the building crumbled following a quake...