A blaze followed by an explosion at a Staten Island shipyard in New York City has left at least 16 individuals injured, with three sustaining serious injuries, according to the New York Fire Department.
The incident unfolded around 3:30 p.m. on Friday, when a report came in about two workers trapped in a confined space at the dock. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a fire raging in the basement of a large metal structure, stated Joanne Mariano from the fire department’s press office.
Approximately 50 minutes into battling the blaze, a significant explosion rocked the site, Mariano added.
By 5 p.m., emergency responders had identified 16 injured individuals, including two firefighters and one civilian with serious injuries. Additionally, two more firefighters had moderate injuries, while the remaining suffered minor injuries. Among those with minor injuries were two EMS workers.
Efforts were ongoing to finalize the total number of affected individuals, Mariano noted.
There were more than 200 firefighters and emergency medical personnel from 68 units at the site Friday evening, Mariano said. The cause of the fire and explosion is still under investigation.
Richard Oviogor, who was in the area, told WABC-TV that he heard two explosions and what seemed like a “big shock wave.”
The area is home to several businesses, including a coffee roasting company and a self-storage facility. The shipyard used to be owned by the Bethlehem Steel Company, which built ships for the U.S. Navy during World War II.