Two people have been injured after a burning crane collapsed and crashed to the ground in New York City, leaving smoke billowing into the sky.
One witness said it ‘sounded like lightning or an explosion,’ and firefighters could be seen hosing down the resulting blaze.
In a shocking video, the crane can be seen striking a building across the street as it collapses. A nearby hotel has been evacuated.
The New York Fire Department has confirmed it is fighting the blaze after a third alarm was activated, which is considered to be a serious fire.
‘FDNY units are currently operating at a crane collapse and fire at 550 Tenth Avenue in Manhattan,’ the service said.
Another added they could part of the crane fell onto vehicles below, possibly including a taxi and police car. This has not been confirmed.
The witness wrote: ‘Fire in #HellsKitchen. A #crane caught fire. #FDNY currently putting it out by shooting water at it from a nearby building.
‘Part of it fell onto the street as well, I think onto a taxi cab and part of a police car. Scary start to my morning.’
Further witness reports say the crane was located on 41st and 10th Ave in the Hudon Yards construction site in Manhattan, near the area of Hells Kitchen.
The NYPD has advised people to keep clear of the area.
Police said: ‘Due to a crane collapse, please avoid the area of 10th Avenue and 11th Avenue from West 41 Street to West 42 Street. Please use alternate routes and expect traffic in the area.’
