Part of crane snaps and lands on building in Manhattan

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - Officials were trying to determine what caused a construction crane to collapse into a NYCHA development in the East Village, sending heavy metal beams cascading down the side of the building.

Part of the crane's boom snapped and fell onto the building adjacent to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Drive on the Lower East Side of Manhattan on Tuesday afternoon.

The partial collapse even ripped air conditioners from the Jacob Riis Houses and shattered windows.

Dozens were allowed back inside their homes early Wednesday morning after they were evacuated shortly after the collapse.

“The construction load went off level somehow, and then it slid,” said Kevin Brennan, FDNY Deputy Assistant Chief.

The FDR Drive was closed in both directions and vehicle traffic backed up. 

The FDNY issued an "all hands" alert. Firefighters are on the scene to check the stability of the building, which is located at 749 FDR Drive. Responders cleared out the building as a precaution.

No one was hurt, the FDNY said.

A video shared on the Citizen App shows a length of crane resting on one side of the building. A fire truck is seen below.