A major emergency unfolded in Midtown Manhattan on Tuesday morning after officials evacuated a 38-story high-rise near Grand Central Terminal amid concerns that the building could partially collapse.

According to the New York Fire Department (FDNY), emergency crews responded around 7:57 a.m. after reports of bricks falling from the exterior of 235 East 42nd Street, located between Second and Third Avenues.

Fire officials determined that the building had developed a significant structural problem. The tower was found to be sagging between the 21st and 26th floors, while two support columns had buckled between the 21st and 22nd floors, raising fears of a potential collapse.

Approximately 130 firefighters and EMS personnel were dispatched to evacuate everyone inside the building. Authorities also ordered the evacuation of six neighboring buildings as a precaution while engineers assessed the situation.

Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.

The building once served as the corporate headquarters of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer before the company relocated its offices to Hudson Yards in 2018. The property is currently undergoing a massive redevelopment into a residential complex expected to feature more than 1,600 apartment units, with construction scheduled for completion in 2027.

Inspectors from New York City's Department of Buildings remain at the scene, using drones to closely examine the structure and determine whether additional emergency measures are necessary.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed that a nearby school housing roughly 400 children was also evacuated out of an abundance of caution.

Authorities have not yet determined what caused the apparent structural failure, and the investigation remains ongoing as engineers work to evaluate the stability of the building.