A massive 20-story brick chimney on a New York City apartment building in the Bronx collapsed after an explosion, sending tons of debris plummeting to the ground and burying a sidewalk and playground. Miraculously, no injuries or deaths were reported.
On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, a 20-story brick chimney on the side of a New York City apartment building in the Bronx collapsed following an explosion reported just after 8 a.m. The collapse sent tons of debris, including bricks and air conditioners, crashing down onto a sidewalk and the building's playground, creating a large cloud of dust. Despite the massive destruction, authorities, including Mayor Eric Adams and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, confirmed that there were no reported injuries or deaths, with Gibson calling it a 'major disaster' avoided. Residents, like Merlyn Olivo, described hearing a noise 'like a bomb' and feeling the building shake, fearing it was 'the end of the world.' Investigators are working to determine if a gas leak was the cause, noting that Oct. 1 typically marks the start of the heating season. Rescue dogs were deployed to search the rubble, but no victims were found, leaving residents uncertain about returning to their homes.
