Skyscraper in New York buckles, causing evacuations and streets to shut down

NEW YORK (CBS, KYMA) - A skyscraper in the middle of New York City is buckling, triggering evacuations in nearby buildings and shutting down streets in midtown Manhattan.

Initial reports of falling bricks sent firefighters racing to the 37-story tower that is just steps from Grand Central Terminal and the Chrysler Building.

Officials found two columns on the 21st and 22nd floors had buckled, and some floors were sagging.

"This is an extremely serious situation," said Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

The 1970s era office building is under construction as its converted to luxury apartments.

"We have specialised tools that we can watch the building from and see movement even in centimetres," said Chief John Esposito with the New York Fire Department. "It is still a very serious and dangerous situation."

Engineers are working to stabilize the building, and they're using drones to assess the situation and avoid sending people inside.

"We have seen both the buckling and floor conditions that are impaired on the 21st floor," said Commissioner Ahmed Tigani with the New York City Department of Buildings.

Several buildings, including a nearby school, are evacuated and crews set up a multi-block "frozen zone."

"We've seen what you can see, the compromised beams, and what can't you see...that's the thing," said Shane Robitaille, a tourist. "I mean, what's behind the walls? It's a little scary."

City officials are hopeful the building's steel construction will keep the structure from suffering a total collapse.

At this point, no injuries are reported and every construction worker is accounted for.