A shipyard fire and explosion in Staten Island, New York, left one civilian dead and injured more than 30 firefighters and emergency responders, with investigators continuing to examine the cause of the incident.
Emergency crews were called to the Mariners Harbor area at about 15:30 local time on Friday after reports of a fire, heavy smoke and two workers trapped in a basement area. The fire was found inside a 46 m by 46 m metal structure at the rear of the shipyard.
While firefighters and emergency medical personnel were operating at the scene, an explosion occurred less than an hour after the initial call. Around 200 firefighters and emergency medical personnel responded.
Authorities said one civilian died and another was injured. Fire Marshal Christopher Cuccaro suffered a fractured skull and brain bleed and was listed in critical but stable condition. One firefighter was seriously injured, while 29 firefighters had minor to moderate injuries. Four emergency medical personnel also sustained minor injuries.
Officials said the two seriously injured firefighters were hurt by the blast’s shock wave, not by penetrating wounds or internal organ damage. The second seriously injured firefighter was reported to be doing well.
Investigators remained at the shipyard on Saturday, and some firefighters stayed on site as a precaution. Authorities had not released the name of the person who died.
The area around the site includes several businesses. The shipyard was previously owned by Bethlehem Steel Company, which built ships for the US Navy during World War II.
