One dead, over 30 injured in Staten Island shipyard explosion and fire

One civilian died and at least 34 people were injured in a fire and explosion at a Staten Island shipyard on Friday afternoon. m. Eastern Time when firefighters responded to reports of two workers trapped in a confined space inside a metal structure at a dock in the Mariners Harbor neighborhood.

Crews encountered heavy smoke and limited visibility while searching the basement area.

Explosion and injuries An explosion occurred less than an hour later while firefighters were still on site. The blast and fire left one civilian dead at the scene and injured 34 others, including FDNY members and EMS workers. Injuries ranged from minor to critical, with one fire marshal suffering head trauma including a fracture and brain bleed, and one firefighter listed in serious condition.

All victims were transported to local hospitals.

Official response New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the situation as "a complex, fast-developing emergency situation" during a Friday evening press conference. FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito noted the dangers of confined-space operations.

FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said the fire grew to two alarms before the explosion. , and more than 200 first responders were sent to the scene.

Investigation ongoing The cause of the fire and explosion remains under investigation. Officials warned residents to expect traffic delays and road closures in the area. One area resident told reporters they heard the explosion while driving nearby but did not see flames.