BRONX, N.Y. — A powerful gas explosion tore through a 20-story public housing building in the Mott Haven section on Wednesday morning, collapsing an incinerator shaft and forcing more than 100 families from their homes. Miraculously, no one was injured.
Firefighters responded to the blast at the Mitchel Houses on Alexander Avenue near East 135th Street just after 8 a.m., according to the FDNY. Upon arrival, they discovered a massive section of the incinerator shaft had caved in. The NYPD quickly secured the area and established a safety perimeter.
Bricks were coming down.
Residents described scenes of panic and chaos. “Bricks were coming down from the top,” said Kayla M. “We screamed and ran.” The explosion shattered windows, knocked out air conditioners and sent debris crashing down the building’s side.
Serenity Gonzalez, who lives on the FNG line — the corner most impacted — fled with her son. “I didn’t know if the building would collapse,” she said. “I grabbed him and ran down 11 flights.”
No place to go.
The explosion left roughly 100 families with no place to go. Many evacuated with only the clothes on their backs. Pets, children, and essentials were carried out as residents scrambled for safety.
A temporary shelter has been set up at the Community Center, located across the street at 210 Alexander Ave. The Red Cross is assisting with immediate needs, including food, water, and emotional support.
Family Assistance
NYCHA’s Family Assistance Unit is coordinating with city agencies to relocate 34 families — 74 adults and 24 children — into hotel rooms. They will also receive vouchers for food and transportation. However, this is only a stopgap measure. Long-term housing solutions remain uncertain.
The building, part of the city’s aging public housing infrastructure, is now under review. Officials have not confirmed the cause of the gas explosion.
This incident adds pressure to ongoing concerns about safety and maintenance in New York’s public housing system. For now, displaced families face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives — without a timeline for when they can return.
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Mathew Alvarez joined Rockland Daily News as a reporter in March 2020, but he’s no stranger to Rockland County. He grew up in New City and graduated from Ball State’s College of Communication, Information, and Media.
