One dead, over 30 injured, including FDNY firefighters in Staten Island Shipyard explosion; Mamdani reacts

At least one person died and more than 30 people were injured, mostly members of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), after an explosion and fire at a Staten Island shipyard on Friday (local time).

CBS News reported that the person who lost his life was a civilian. Along with 34 members of the FDNY, including a fire marshal who was critically injured and a firefighter who was seriously injured, another civilian was injured.

All victims were taken to local hospitals, officials said.

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Here is what happened

FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said the fire started around 3:30 p.m. ET in the basement of a metal building located behind the boat dock in Staten Island’s Mariners Harbor neighborhood, along Richmond Terrace near Lockman and Andros streets.

The commissioner added that responding crews encountered limited visibility and thick smoke and were told two workers were trapped in the basement.

The fire was brought under control around 7:20 p.m. Over 200 rescuers were sent to the scene. The cause of the fire and explosion is not yet known.

The flames quickly grew to a two-alarm fire and a loud explosion was heard shortly after first responders arrived on the scene.

According to a doctor at Staten Island University Hospital, the firefighters who arrived at the hospital on Friday were suffering from something silent, which is the energy of the explosion.

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NYC mayor, officials respond to explosion

Responding to the fire and explosion on Staten Island, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said, “As the fire grew, first responders did what they always do. They ran toward danger so others could escape to safety.”

Mamdani, who visited the firefighters, said: “Tonight I visited the firefighters in serious condition, as well as the family of the fire marshal, who remains in critical condition. I ask every New Yorker to keep those injured – and their families – in their thoughts.” He added: “To the first responders who jumped into danger without hesitation: thank you. Like every day you put yourself in danger so others can escape. Our city owes you a debt of gratitude.”

FDNY Chief John Esposito noted, “Confined spaces are very dangerous operations for all responders,” adding, “We had firefighters inside doing searches and on top of the boat and near the boat. We had several injured.”

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul wrote in a post on X: “Praying for all those injured in today’s Staten Island shipyard explosion, including the FDNY firefighters who rushed to meet the danger to save lives. State agencies are coordinating with city officials as investigators work to determine the cause.”

At a news conference Friday night, Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella said, “Let’s stick together. Let’s keep these people in our prayers. Let’s make sure this doesn’t happen again.” Fossella added, “But let us know one thing — that this fire department and New York City EMS, there’s nobody better, and let’s pray that these men walk out of (the hospital) on their own two feet in the not-too-distant future.”

The witness recalls the horror

One resident said they were driving along Richmond Terrace towards their home when they suddenly heard a loud explosion near the area. The sound scared them, although they said they didn’t see any flames at first.

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A car explosion in Lower Manhattan

In a separate incident earlier this week, a car exploded in Lower Manhattan, sending thick black smoke into the air near the Charging Bull statue in New York.

Firefighters brought the fire under control just before 7pm on Tuesday. Officials said no injuries were reported while the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.