Confirmed Gas Explosion Collapses Bronx NYCHA Tower

A gas explosion at about 8:10–8:15 a.m. on Oct. 1, 2025, caused the incinerator/chimney shaft of the 20‑story NYCHA Mitchel Houses building at 205 Alexander Avenue in Mott Haven, Bronx, to partially collapse, ripping away a corner of the tower and sending bricks and mortar into the street. Video and aerial images showed a gaping vertical hole from ground to roof and a large pile of rubble mixed with air‑conditioning units on the roadway. Firefighters, NYPD, Con Edison, Department of Buildings inspectors, NYCHA personnel and K‑9 teams responded; Con Edison shut off gas service, roughly 40 apartments were evacuated, a community center was set up as a temporary shelter, and officials reported no injuries. Authorities established a perimeter and urged commuters to avoid Alexander Avenue while crews conducted inspections and recovery work. The city's Housing Authority and municipal agencies have opened investigations to determine the cause and whether damage extends beyond the exterior chimney/incinerator shaft. The collapse has renewed concern about aging NYCHA infrastructure and building conditions.