NEW YORK: The top portion of a construction crane caught fire and crashed into a Manhattan street on Wednesday, injuring four civilians and two firefighters as debris rained down during the morning rush hour, authorities said.
The crane was on a building under construction at 550 10th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan when it caught fire around 7:30 a.m. The fire quickly spread to the top of the crane, and the cab of the crane collapsed onto the street below.
Debris from the collapse fell onto several parked cars and nearby buildings. Four civilians were injured by the falling debris, and two firefighters were injured while responding to the fire. All of the injuries are non-life-threatening.
The fire department was able to extinguish the fire, but the crane remained partially collapsed on the street. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The collapse of the crane caused traffic delays in the area, and several streets were closed for safety reasons. The area was also evacuated for a time, but it has since been reopened.
The collapse of the crane is a reminder of the dangers of working with heavy machinery. It is important to follow safety procedures and to be aware of the risks involved in working with cranes.
