A major emergency response has been launched in New York after reports of falling bricks and serious structural problems forced the evacuation of buildings surrounding a high-rise that is being converted into luxury apartments. The New York Fire Department was called to 235 East 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan at around 8am on Tuesday after receiving reports that bricks had fallen from the 38-storey building.

When firefighters inspected the property, they found two structural columns had buckled on the 21st and 22nd floors. Officials also identified sagging floors between the 21st and 26th storeys, prompting a large evacuation operation. Among those evacuated was a nearby school attended by around 400 children, while surrounding streets were closed to both pedestrians and traffic as emergency crews secured the area. No injuries have been reported and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said everyone working inside the building had been accounted for. Asked whether the building was actually at risk of collapse, the mayor said first responders had identified "structural issues with the building".

He added: "Beyond that, just for those in the immediate area to follow the instructions of those on the ground."

He also said: "Our top priority right now is the safety of those who live in this area and the safety of those who work in this area."

The city's Department of Buildings confirmed inspectors and engineers had been sent to the scene at 235 East 42nd Street to assess the damage and investigate the structural concerns.

The building, which dates back to the 1970s, formerly served as the global headquarters of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer.

It occupies a prominent location in Midtown Manhattan, about one street away from the Chrysler Building and between Grand Central Terminal and the United Nations headquarters.

The tower is currently undergoing an extensive redevelopment that has been billed by architectural firm Gensler as the largest office-to-residential conversion project in New York City's history.

Plans for the scheme include creating more than 1,600 apartments, adding more than a dozen storeys above the existing tower and redesigning an adjoining tower as part of the wider development.

Emergency officials remain at the scene while engineers continue assessing the building's condition.

The Express has contacted Gensler for a statement.