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1 dead and dozens injured in major explosion and fire at New York City shipyard, officials say

Thirteen firefighters, two EMS personnel and one civilian were wounded, according to officials

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At least 16 people have been injured in a major explosion and fire at a New York City shipyard, officials have said.

The fire broke out in Staten Island at around 3:30 p.m. Friday, and an explosion followed about an hour later as crews were fighting the flames.

Thirteen firefighters, two EMS personnel and one civilian were wounded,the New York City Fire Department told The Independent.

Two of the firefighters and the civilian had serious injuries, according to officials. All of those wounded were taken to nearby hospitals.

open image in galleryAt least 16 people have been injured in a major explosion and fire at a New York City shipyard, officials have said (Google Earth)

Firefighters arrived at the shipyard following a report that workers were trapped in a confined space of a dry dock, the FDNY said. A dry dock is a platform where ships can rest for maintenance.

Crews then found a fire in the basement of a metal structure in the back of the shipping docks, according to officials.

The cause of the fire was not immediately clear.

Fire trucks lined the street near the shipyard, and a man dressed in fire gear and apparently holding his chest was filmed being rolled out on a gurney, according to a video obtained by local outlet WABC.

open image in galleryThirteen firefighters, two EMS personnel and one civilian were wounded, according to officials (AFP via Getty Images)

Hazmat crews, the Department of Buildings and the Department of Environmental Protection are responding to the explosion. The New York City Police Department was also at the shipyard, the WABC video showed.

New York Attorney General Letitia James said she was “praying” for the FDNY firefighters “and everyone injured after the explosion in Staten Island today.”

“Thank you to the FDNY for their swift response and for protecting New Yorkers everyday,” she wrote on X.