Investigators Search New York Shipyard After Explosion Kills One, Injures Over 30

Investigators searched a New York City shipyard on Saturday for the cause of a fire and explosion that killed one person and injured more than 30 firefighters and medical personnel. The incident occurred Friday afternoon in the Mariners Harbor neighborhood on the north shore of Staten Island.

m. after reports of fire, heavy smoke, and two workers trapped in a basement area, city Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said. Less than an hour later, an explosion occurred while firefighters and emergency medical personnel worked at the scene.

A civilian died and another civilian was wounded. A fire marshal and a firefighter sustained serious injuries, while 29 firefighters and four emergency medical personnel received minor to moderate injuries.

Christopher Cuccaro suffered a fractured skull and brain bleed and remained in critical but stable condition, fire department chief medical officer Dr. David Prezant said. The second seriously injured firefighter was reported to be doing well. Prezant stated that both firefighters sustained injuries from the shock wave rather than penetrating wounds or damage to internal organs.

The fire and explosion took place inside a 150-foot-by-150-foot metal structure at the rear of the shipyard. Approximately 200 firefighters and emergency medical personnel responded. S. Navy during World War II. The surrounding area includes a coffee roasting company and a self-storage facility.

Bonsignore said at a Friday evening news conference that responders were fortunate no firefighters died. The name of the civilian who died had not been released as of Saturday.