NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A stop work order was issued and streets remained closed Friday after a spinning crane on an under-construction high-rise in Manhattan sent large debris crashing more than 80 stories during stormy weather Thursday night.
The Department of Buildings said the crane at 57th Street and Sixth Avenue did not collapse and was stable. No injuries were reported.
"Videos of the crane show that is was spinning. This is called what is known as 'weathervaning' and is a normal crane function," the DOB said in a statement. "Weathervaning is a standard configuration for tower cranes, which allows them to swing 360 degrees when not in use. This is done to allow the crane to sway in the direction of the wind, which in turn reduces wind resistance and increases the stability of the crane."
Authorities responded to reports about the crane at 111 W. 57th St. just before 7 p.m.
"We just heard this enormous crash, it kind of sounded like an explosion actually," one witness told WABC. "Maybe a 20-foot-long piece of railing and glass, looked like an enormous window, came out of nowhere."
The crane was seen spinning and sending large debris falling to the street below. Streets were closed for several blocks around and remained closed on Friday.
A full stop work order was issued. In the order, the DOB said: "The lifting ball was swinging and hit (a) glass facade, knocking out large sections of aluminum, sections of glass on several floors."
DOB inspectors were at the site investigating and working to determine what caused debris to fall from the site.
Debris Falling From High-Rise @CitizenApp
146 W 57th St 6:51:09 PM EDT
According to FDNY officials, a responding crew made their way to upper floors of the 84-story building, where a cable was seen hanging from the spinning tower crane and hitting a building.
"We're talking about pieces of metal and glass," FDNY Assistant Chief John Hodgens said. "Pretty amazing that there are no injuries."
The incident came exactly eight years after Sandy toppled a crane at a construction site on 57th Street.
