NEW YORK – Six people suffered minor injuries Wednesday morning after a fire sparked on a crane atop a high-rise building in Manhattan, causing part of the crane and 16 tons of concrete to crash to the ground.
Those injured included four civilians and two firefighters, one of whom complained of chest pain, FDNY Deputy Commissioner Joseph Pfeifer said. He added that the blaze appeared to be mostly out before 9:20 a.m., about two hours after officials got a report of a fire in the engine compartment of the crane.
Pfeifer said a person was using the crane to lift 16 tons of concrete on a building under construction when the fire started.
“We give a lot of credit to the crane operator, but the fire overwhelmed that crane operator and they had to exit the crane,” he said.
The crane was perched about 45 stories up, at the top of a building at 550 10th Ave. The top part of the crane and the concrete load collapsed as firefighters responded to the scene, damaging a building at 555 10th Ave., officials said.
On Wednesday morning, officials were focused on putting out the last of the blaze, evacuating people from nearby buildings and beginning to dismantle the crane, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said.
“We’re going to make sure that it’s done in a very orderly fashion,” he added. “As you can see from the debris on the street, this could have been much worse.”
Authorities stretched hose lines to fight the fire from nearby buildings. It was not immediately clear how the blaze began or how much damage was done.
“Once we get up there, once we’re able to look at it and do an analysis, we can find out exactly what’s happened,” Adams said.
Officials said the high-rise the crane collapsed from is set to be a 54-story mixed-use building.
A crane has collapsed in New York City.
Firefighters carry hoses as they deal with a construction crane fire and collapse in New York, on July 26, 2023. The New York City Fire Department reported two firefighters and at least four civilians suffered minor injuries in the accident. (Photo by Kena Betancur / AFP) (Photo by KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)
Firefighters are ready with stretchers at the site of a construction crane fire and collapse in New York, on July 26, 2023. The New York City Fire Department reported two firefighters and at least four civilians suffered minor injuries in the accident. (Photo by Kena Betancur / AFP) (Photo by KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)
Firefighters arrive with a stretcher at the site of a construction crane fire and collapse in New York, on July 26, 2023. The New York City Fire Department reported two firefighters and at least four civilians suffered minor injuries in the accident. (Photo by Kena Betancur / AFP) (Photo by KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)
Rescue baskets are prepared by first responders at the site of a construction crane fire and collapse in New York, on July 26, 2023. The New York City Fire Department reported two firefighters and at least four civilians suffered minor injuries in the accident. (Photo by Kena Betancur / AFP) (Photo by KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)
Several people were injured when a crane collapsed in New York City on Wednesday.
Several people were injured when a crane collapsed in New York City on Wednesday.
Several people were injured when a crane collapsed in New York City on Wednesday.
Smoke rises from a construction crane that caught fire in Manhattan, Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in New York. The crane lost its long arm, which smashed against a nearby building, dangled and then plummeted to the street as people ran for their lives on the sidewalk below. Some people suffered minor injuries, but no one died, according to Mayor Eric Adams .(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Smoke rises from a construction crane that caught fire in Manhattan, Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in New York. The crane lost its long arm, which smashed against a nearby building, dangled and then plummeted to the street as people ran for their lives on the sidewalk below. Some people suffered minor injuries, but no one died, according to Mayor Eric Adams .(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Smoke rises from a construction crane that caught fire in Manhattan, Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in New York. The crane lost its long arm, which smashed against a nearby building, dangled and then plummeted to the street as people ran for their lives on the sidewalk below. Some people suffered minor injuries, but no one died, according to Mayor Eric Adams .(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Emergency responders are on the scene after a large construction crane caught fire in Manhattan on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 in New York. The crane caught fire and its arm hit a building as it crashed to the street below. (WABC via AP)
Emergency responders are on the scene after a large construction crane caught fire in Manhattan on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 in New York. The crane caught fire and its arm hit a building as it crashed to the street below. (WABC via AP)
First responders spray water on tall construction crane that caught fire in Manhattan on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 in New York. The crane caught fire and its arm hit a building as it crashed to the street below. (WABC via AP)
Emergency responders battle flames as a large construction crane caught fire in Manhattan on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 in New York. (WABC via AP)
