A huge explosion at a New York City shipyard has killed at least one person and left dozens more injured.
The dry dock on Staten Island was rocked by a blast around 50 minutes after a fire broke out on board a vessel at around 3.30pm.
Fire crews were fighting a blaze inside an 150 sq ft metal structure which trapped at least two workers trapped when the explosion occurred.
Around 31 injured people including more than a dozen fire fighters were reported as injured by 5pm, according to FDNY spokesperson Joanna Mariano.
A civilian was reported as the only fatality so far. Two of the firefighters and another are in a critical condition, while two additional firefighters were left with moderate injuries.
The rest of the wounded, which included two EMS workers taken to hospital on State Island, suffered minor injuries.
‘This was a complex, fast developing emergency situation,’ NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani said at a press conference on Friday evening.
‘One fire marshal is in critical condition and one firefighter is in serious condition,’ Mamdani continued.
Fire crews were fighting a blaze inside an 150 sq ft metal structure which trapped at least two workers trapped when the explosion occurred on Friday afternoon
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed that over 30 civilians and emergency responders were injured, with one civilian dead, as crews continued to battle the fire
The scene had more than 200 firefighters and emergency medical personnel on site on Friday evening
‘A few minutes ago I met with the firefighter and his family, as well as the fire marshal’s family. I am deeply moved by their courage as well as by their service to this city.
‘I am heartbroken to report that one civilian has passed away. I send my deepest condolences to their loved ones.’
Mamdani added that emergency responders remain on scene trying to contain and quell the fire.
The scene had more than 200 firefighters and emergency medical personnel on site on Friday evening, according to Mariano.
Around 68 units were dispatched, as 212 fire and EMS personnel arrived on scene, Fox News reported.
Richard Obiozor, a local of the area, told ABC 7: ‘We saw a bunch of fire trucks and I heard someone say every single fire truck and police officer on the entire island was over here.’
‘A couple minutes later, a massive explosion, shock wave came in and a person in a white suit, I think the captain, said “back up,”‘ he added.
The cause of the fire and the explosion remain unclear as the investigation continues.
