Explosion Causes Partial Collapse At South Bronx NYCHA Building
A building in Mott Haven has partially collapsed after a gas explosion Wednesday morning.
The explosion caused an incinerator shaft to collapse at the 20-story South Bronx New York City Housing Authority building at 207 Alexander Ave. at 8:10 a.m., the New York City Fire Department said.
The corner of the building was torn off, videos posted on social media by New York City Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry showed.
Inspections are being conducted to ensure no other apartments in the 171-unit building, which is part of the massive 1966-built Mitchel Houses complex and sits between East 135th and 137th streets, are in danger.
No fatalities or injuries were recorded after the explosion, which started in the boiler room, city and state officials said at an 11 a.m. press conference. New Yorkers should avoid the area as agencies make sure the building is safe, Mayor Eric Adams said.
The explosion happened on the first day of NYC’s heat season, which is the day that landlords are legally required to turn on boilers in residential buildings so that apartments don’t drop below 68 degrees if temperatures outside are at 55 degrees or below.
Safety tests on NYCHA’s boilers happen during the summer, NYCHA Chief Operating Officer Eva Trimble said, meaning that the exact cause of the explosion needs to be determined by an investigation already underway by NYCHA and the NYC Department of Buildings.
On scene in the Bronx today with @NYCMayor Adams, @FDNYFC Tucker and @nycemergencymgt Commissioner @zachiscol following the building collapse. The investigation remains ongoing, and we urge everyone to follow official channels for accurate updates.
— Kaz Daughtry (@kazdaughtry) October 1, 2025
We commend the extraordinary… pic.twitter.com/MkaQyOBkBb
Although NYC DOB records indicate that the building had no violations, NYC DOB Commissioner Jimmy Oddo said at the press conference that there were three open violations on boilers for non-safety-related defects at the complex.
It is unclear whether any of those violations were linked to the explosion, Oddo said. Officials called for the public to wait for the results of the investigation to determine the causes of the explosion.
“We have to get a thorough accounting of what happened,” Amanda Septimo, the New York State Assembly member for the neighborhood, said at the press conference, adding that the state sends resources to NYCHA for safety measures, including elevator replacements and boiler safety.
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson praised first responders at the press conference, saying the Bronx dealt with a similar partial collapse at 1915 Billingsley Terrace in Morris Heights just two years ago.
“There is a lot of anxiety from the residents that live here at Mitchel about what happens over the long term,” she said. “We will do everything possible to make sure that we minimize the disruption and the anxiety.”
