Crane Fire in Midtown Manhattan Leaves 11 Injured, Including Two Firefighters

A crane fire in midtown Manhattan on Wednesday morning left 11 people injured, including two firefighters, according to the FDNY. The fire broke out shortly before 7:30 a.m. 45 stories up in the air at a building that was under construction on 10th Avenue between West 41st and 42nd streets in Hell’s Kitchen.

Video posted to social media showed the top part of the crane collapse, hit a building across the street and then swing back to hit the building under construction as passersby sprinted from the scene. Eight civilians’ injuries were minor, while one was serious but non-life threatening, according to the FDNY. One of the firefighters’ injuries was minor, and the other was serious but non-life threatening.

The Department of Buildings said Wednesday afternoon that, following a preliminary investigation, the crane was found to be in compliance with the city’s safety regulations. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The incident caused a partial collapse of the building under construction, and the street was closed off to traffic while the FDNY worked to contain the fire. The fire was declared under control at 8:20 a.m. and the street was reopened shortly after.

The incident is a reminder of the importance of safety regulations and the need for vigilance when working with heavy machinery. The FDNY and the Department of Buildings are continuing to investigate the incident.