Roommates, a terrifying situation rocked New York City on Friday afternoon at a Staten Island shipyard, and officials say it quickly turned deadly. Emergency crews rushed into the area as smoke poured into the sky and multiple explosions shook nearby businesses, all before officials confirmed the full scope of the situation. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani later addressed the chaos during an evening press conference, as residents tried to piece together exactly what happened.
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Mamdani Speaks As Deadly Explosions Leave Dozens Injured
According to officials, one person was killed and at least 36 others were injured after a fire sparked two explosions inside a massive metal structure at the shipyard. Most of the injured were firefighters and first responders who rushed to the scene after calls came in around 3:30 p.m. reporting smoke and two workers trapped inside the building’s basement.
Fire crews reportedly arrived within six minutes, but moments later, the first explosion erupted, seriously injuring several FDNY members and civilians nearby. “This was a complex, fast-developing emergency situation,” New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani claimed during a Friday evening news conference.
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Second Explosion Severely Injures FDNY First Responders
Things reportedly escalated again when a second explosion hit while firefighters and rescue paramedics were actively searching for the trapped workers. Officials say five emergency responders were positioned inside, on top of, and near the structure when the blast happened. The explosion’s powerful shock wave struck a firefighter and a fire marshal inside the structure, leaving both with some of the most severe injuries.
FDNY Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Prezant revealed that the injured fire marshal remains in critical but stable condition after suffering a fractured skull and a small brain bleed. Meanwhile, doctors initially listed the firefighter injured in the blast in serious condition, but he improved and was doing much better by Friday evening. Authorities said more than 200 firefighters remained on-site Friday night as crews continued battling the fire while investigators prepared to determine what caused the explosions.
Witnesses Describe Terrifying Blasts At Historic Shipyard
Witnesses in the area reported hearing two loud blasts, followed by a massive shock wave that rattled nearby buildings. Several businesses—including a coffee roasting company and storage facilities—surround the shipyard area, which traces its history back to the Bethlehem Steel Company, which built Navy ships during World War II.
