Prior to this morning’s explosion and partial collapse of the 20-story Mitchel House in the Bronx, the NY City Housing Authority run high rise was plagued by safety violations. According to News 12, “According to the Department of Buildings, the Mitchel Houses racked up nearly 20 violations, including a stop-work order on renovations and more than $30,000 in fines after failing to file a required inspection on time last year.
Tenants say they’ve long warned about dangerous conditions. Several described strange and disruptive noises from the boiler system, which they claim NYCHA failed to address despite repeated calls.”
The boiler explosion caused the chimney to collapse and no injuries have been reported. Images show large piles of rubble and bricks, and a vertical scar from the ground to the building’s roof.
The NY City Housing Authority has been plagued for years with complaints about safety issues, including boiler and heating issues that led to today’s near disaster.
