WTC 4 largely collapsed due to being struck by exterior column debris from WTC 2. The sections of the building that remained standing after this initial impact subsequently experienced a complete burnout.
Details of the Impact and Collapse
World Trade Center 4 (WTC 4), also known as the Commodities Exchange Center, was a 9-story office building located at the southeast corner of the World Trade Center complex. Its fate was directly tied to the collapse of the Twin Towers.- Initial Impact: WTC 4 suffered significant structural damage when it was impacted by large pieces of exterior column debris that fragmented and scattered after the collapse of WTC 2 (South Tower). This impact caused the majority of the building to collapse.
- Subsequent Burnout: While most of the structure succumbed to the initial debris impact, any remaining sections of WTC 4 that did not collapse experienced a complete burnout due to fires that spread throughout the building.
Context within the World Trade Center Complex
The collapse of the Twin Towers had a devastating ripple effect on the surrounding buildings within the World Trade Center complex. WTC 4 was one of several buildings severely affected by falling debris and subsequent fires.The table below provides a summary of the impact on WTC 4 and other adjacent buildings:
| Building | Primary Impact Cause | Extent of Damage | Subsequent Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| WTC 4 | Exterior column debris from WTC 2 | Most of the building collapsed | Complete burnout of remaining sections |
| WTC 5 | Exterior column debris from WTC 1 | Large sections experienced localized collapse | Fires spread throughout most of the building |
| WTC 6 | Exterior column debris from WTC 1 | Large sections experienced localized collapse | Fires spread throughout most of the building |
This chain of events highlights the catastrophic nature of the incident, where the failure of the primary towers led to widespread destruction and damage across the entire complex.
