Midtown Manhattan Building Evacuated Amid Conversion Fears

A full evacuation was ordered at 235 East 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan on Tuesday morning due to fears of a building collapse. The New York City Fire Department responded to reports of falling bricks, with construction workers on the 21st floor observing columns beginning to fail. Sagging floors were noted between the 21st and 26th stories, prompting the immediate evacuation. No injuries have been reported as of Tuesday morning. Approximately 40 FDNY units, comprising 140 fire and EMS personnel, are on-site. Engineers from the Department of Buildings are also present and utilizing FDNY drone footage to assess the structural integrity of the 38-story building. The area surrounding East 42nd Street and Second Avenue has been closed to traffic. The building, formerly the global headquarters for Pfizer, is in the process of being converted into a 1,500-unit luxury rental complex. The situation is developing, with further updates expected.