Staten Island Explosion Kills 1, Injures 36 at Shipyard
A fire and explosion at a Staten Island shipyard left one person dead and 36 people injured on Friday. The explosion happened after crews responded to reports of smoke and workers trapped in a basement at the back of the New York City site.
Officials said most of the injured were firefighters and other first responders. The fire was still burning Friday night, but it was under control, with more than 200 firefighters remaining at the scene.
Staten Island Response
People called the fire department around 3:30 p.m. reporting smoke and two workers trapped in a basement inside a 150-foot by 150-foot metal structure at the back of the shipyard, Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said. Firefighting and EMS crews arrived within six minutes.
Five firefighters and rescue paramedics were searching for the trapped workers when a second explosion happened. One civilian died at the scene, and officials said three people had serious injuries.
Fire Marshal and Firefighter Hurt
A firefighter and a fire marshal were inside the structure when the second blast occurred. Both were seriously injured by the shock wave from the blast, and the fire marshal was in critical but stable condition with a fractured skull and a small brain bleed.
Dr. David Prezant said of the fire marshal, "We will be watching him very carefully over the next 24 hours to make certain there is not subsequent brain swelling. As long as there is not, he should do well," and said the firefighter was doing "very well" by Friday evening.
Investigation at the Shipyard
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said, "This was a complex, fast-developing emergency situation," as the response continued Friday evening. John Esposito said, "Confined spaces are very dangerous operations for any rescuers," describing the search after the second blast.
Richard Oviogor, an area witness, described hearing a "big shock wave." A comprehensive investigation into the cause of the fire will begin as soon as possible, while the damaged structure at the back of the shipyard remains part of the scene.
