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A “major” explosion and fire at a Staten Island shipyard Friday afternoon left dozens of New York City Fire Department (FDNY) firefighters and first responders injured, and one civilian dead.
FDNY EMS deputy assistant chief Ian Swords confirmed during a news conference Friday night that one civilian died at the scene and 34 members of the FDNY were taken to local hospitals.
The two most seriously injured patients were a fire marshal, who is in critical condition, and a firefighter, who is in serious condition. They both suffered “blast energy” during the explosion, which can cause internal damage.
Richmond University Medical Center said the fire marshal has a temporal fracture and a small brain bleed and remains in critical condition. Doctors are monitoring the firefighter for subsequent muscle injury.
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani updated the situation after 9 p.m. on Friday, saying the fire was now “under control.”
“Today, a fire broke out on Richmond Terrace on Staten Island, followed soon after by reports of an explosion,” he wrote on X. ”What unfolded was a fast-moving emergency that claimed one life and left more than 30 civilians and first responders injured. The fire is now under control.”
He continued, “We mourn the life that was lost today, and we hold their family in our hearts. Tonight I visited a firefighter in serious condition, as well as the family of a fire marshal who remains in critical condition. I ask every New Yorker to keep those injured — and their families — in your thoughts. To the first responders who rushed toward danger without hesitation: thank you. As you do every day, you put yourselves in harm’s way so others could escape. Our city owes you a debt of gratitude.”
The incident unfolded when authorities received a call at 3:27 p.m. local time reporting workers trapped in a confined space at 3075 Richmond Terrace, between Lockman and Andros avenues.
When first responders arrived, they found smoke and a fire burning in the basement of a 150-by-150-foot metal building situated at the back of the shipping docks.
Two workers were reportedly trapped and crews entered to search for them, according to FDNY Chief John Esposito.
A second alarm was transmitted at 4:08 p.m., and just 11 minutes later, a “major explosion” tore through the site at 4:19 p.m.
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The blast triggered a large fire and massive emergency response, with the FDNY deploying 68 units and 212 fire and EMS personnel to combat the blaze.
“We had firefighters inside conducting searches, and on top of the barge and adjacent to the barge,” Esposito said. “We had several that were injured. We did recover a deceased civilian.”
He said the fire was under control and all searches were conducted, as of 8 p.m. local time.
No one is unaccounted for and there will be an ongoing investigation, Esposito confirmed.
Mamdani also expressed his gratitude to every first responder who rushed to the scene in the press conference.
“As the fire grew, first responders did what they always do. They ran towards danger, so others could escape to safety,” Mamdani said during the news conference. “Firefighters responded from all across our city. This has been an all-hands-on-deck response … I commend each of them for their quick response and for their courage.”
“… Once the fire has been extinguished, FDNY marshals will hold a comprehensive investigation into its cause,” he added. “The information that yields will then be shared with New Yorkers as soon as we have it. In the meantime, I want to ask New Yorkers to keep those who have been injured, and the person we lost, in our thoughts and to wish them a quick recovery.”
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New York Attorney General Letitia James reacted to the tragedy on X, noting she is praying for everyone injured in the fire.
“I’m praying for the @FDNY firefighters and everyone injured after the explosion in Staten Island today,” James wrote in a post. “Thank you to the FDNY for their swift response and for protecting New Yorkers every day.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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