Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said a majority of tenants were outside of the building, either at work or school.
“We avoided a major disaster here,” she said at a press conference.
Residents were sent to a community center at 138th Street and Alexander Avenue as the building was evaluated. The Red Cross has registered 31 households and 98 individuals for emergency assistance.
“There is a lot of concern, a lot of anxiety from the residents that live here at Mitchel about what happens in the long term, and so over the next several hours, as inspectors are in the building, we will do everything possible to make sure that we minimize the disruption and the anxiety of the residents and the families here in this working class community,” said Gibson.
