Midtown NYC High-Rise Evacuated After Support Beams Buckle, Floors Begin Sagging

A Midtown skyscraper under construction was evacuated Tuesday morning after massive steel support beams began buckling inside the building, causing multiple floors to sag and sending bricks tumbling from the structure.

The emergency unfolded around 8:11 a.m. at the 37-story commercial tower at 235 East 42nd Street after construction workers noticed two critical support beams bending on the 21st and 22nd floors, according to the NYPD and FDNY.

As the beams continued to give way, sections of the building between the 21st and 26th floors began sagging under the strain, fire officials said.

Workers immediately evacuated the site as a precaution.

Despite the alarming structural failure, all construction workers escaped safely and no injuries were reported.

Emergency crews rushed to the scene and quickly cordoned off the area as engineers assessed the stability of the building.

Police shut down both pedestrian and vehicle traffic along East 42nd Street between Second and Third avenues while firefighters and city inspectors investigated the cause of the apparent structural failure.

It was not immediately clear what caused the support beams to buckle or how long the surrounding street closures would remain in effect.

Watch the clips below:

BREAKING: Manhattan Skyscraper in danger of COLLAPSE. Multiple buildings nearby have reportedly been EVACUATED.

The building is located on the corner of 42nd St and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan.

Video by Kevin RC Wilson | Licensing @FreedomNTV desk@freedomnews.tv pic.twitter.com/hlWVcKfBre

— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) July 7, 2026

BREAKING: Part of a building facade collapsed during construction in Manhattan on Monday, prompting street closures and evacuations. No injuries were reported, and the incident is under investigation. pic.twitter.com/Qvsoz6nVEG

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) July 7, 2026

NOW: “The North Side of that Building is CRUMBLING” –
Construction Worker speaks about the former Pfizer HQ building, which is in danger of COLLAPSE in Manhattan.

Licensing @FreedomNTV desk@freedomnews.tv pic.twitter.com/FNvDJpF5A1

— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) July 7, 2026