‘Rapidly evolving emergency’: 1 dead, several injured after fire, explosion at New York City shipyard
One person has died and at least 36 others, including firefighters and first responders, have been injured in a fire that followed two explosions at a New York City shipyard on Friday, officials said. Officials described the incident as a “complex, rapidly evolving emergency” as crews battled the flames late into the night.The fire broke out around 3.30 pm (local time) in the 150-foot by 150-foot metal structure located at the rear of the shipyard. Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said emergency services arrived at the scene within six minutes after multiple callers reported smoke and two workers trapped in the basement.Shortly after firefighters arrived, the first explosion tore through the structure, injuring several fire department personnel and civilians. A civilian was declared dead at the scene.According to department chief John Esposito, the second explosion occurred as five firefighters and rescue paramedics were searching for trapped workers in and around the structure. The explosion caused further injuries, most seriously to a firefighter and a fire marshal who were inside the building at the time of the shock wave.Dr. David Prezant, the fire department’s chief medical officer, was quoted by the Associated Press as saying that the fire marshal was in serious but stable condition with a fractured skull and minor bleeding on the brain. He said doctors are monitoring him closely for possible swelling in the brain over the next 24 hours.Prezent said the injured firefighter was initially listed in critical condition, but as of Friday evening he was “doing very well” and was under observation for possible muscle injuries. “This was a complex, rapidly evolving emergency,” New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani told reporters during an evening briefing.More than 200 firefighters continued to work at the scene Friday night as the fire was under control but not completely extinguished. Officials said a detailed investigation into the cause of the fire and explosion would begin once the area was secured.Eyewitness Richard Oviogor told local broadcaster WABC-TV that he heard two explosions, followed by what felt like a “huge shock wave”.There are several commercial businesses in the shipyard area, including a coffee roasting facility and a self-storage company. The site was previously owned by Bethlehem Steel, which built ships for the US Navy during World War II.
