Miracle in the Bronx: 20-Story Chimney Collapses After Explosion, No Injuries Reported

A massive 20-story brick chimney attached to a New York City apartment building in the Bronx dramatically collapsed on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, following an explosion. In what officials are calling a miracle, tons of debris plummeted to the ground, burying a sidewalk and landing on a playground, yet no injuries or deaths were reported.

“We avoided a major disaster here,” stated Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson at a news conference. Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the lack of casualties, highlighting that authorities are investigating a possible gas leak as the cause of the explosion, which occurred just after 8 a.m. The mayor noted the timing coincided with Oct. 1, typically the day heating systems are activated for the season.

Residents described a terrifying scene. Merlyn Olivo, who was in her apartment, recalled hearing a “large noise like a bomb” and felt the building shaking intensely. “I was so scared,” she said, before being alerted by her sister-in-law to evacuate.

The fallen bricks ripped air conditioners from windows, creating a huge mound of rubble at the base of the building. Emergency services, including rescue dogs, were deployed to search the debris, though thankfully finding no victims. City officials, including Department of Buildings Commissioner James Oddo, are investigating the incident, with early indications suggesting work might have been underway on the boiler room.

As a precaution, some apartments are being evacuated, and services for displaced residents are available at a nearby community center. Building inspectors are thoroughly checking the foundations and affected apartments to ensure structural integrity, with Mayor Adams assuring that the building will be repaired. The incident sheds light on the challenges facing NYCHA, the nation’s largest housing authority, which manages many aging properties across New York City.

阅读中文版 (Read Chinese Version)

Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.