NEW YORK \u2014 One person has died after a fire and two explosions Friday at a New York City shipyard, officials say.<\/p>\n
Officials said 36 people were injured, most of them firefighters and other first responders, and one civilian died at the scene.<\/p>\n
A firefighter and a fire marshal were inside the structure when a second explosion happened, and both were seriously injured by the shock wave from the blast.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was a complex, fast-developing emergency situation,\u201d New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said during a news conference Friday evening.<\/p>\n
Multiple people called the fire department around 3:30 p.m., reporting smoke and two workers trapped in the basement of a 150-foot by 150-foot (46 meters by 46 meters) metal structure at the back of the shipyard, Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said.<\/p>\n
Firefighting and EMS crews were on the scene within six minutes. But shortly after they arrived, an explosion occurred, causing serious injuries to multiple fire department members and a couple of civilians, Bonsignore said \u2014 including one who died at the scene.<\/p>\n
Five firefighters and rescue paramedics were searching for the trapped workers inside, on top of and next to the structure when the second blast occurred, said Chief of Department John Esposito, causing more injuries.<\/p>\n
The most serious injuries happened to a fire marshal and a firefighter who were inside and hit by the energy wave from the blast.<\/p>\n
\u201cConfined spaces are very dangerous operations for any rescuers,\u201d Esposito said.<\/p>\n
The fire marshal is in critical but stable condition with a fractured skull and a small brain bleed, said the fire department\u2019s chief medical officer Dr. David Prezant.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will be watching him very carefully over the next 24 hours to make certain there is not subsequent brain swelling. As long as there is not, he should do well,\u201d Prezant said.<\/p>\n
The firefighter was in serious condition when he arrived at the hospital. But Prezant said he was doing \u201cvery well\u201d by Friday evening, and he was being observed to ensure he doesn\u2019t have muscle injuries.<\/p>\n
The fire was still burning but under control Friday night, with more than 200 firefighters still at the scene, Mamdani said. A comprehensive investigation into the cause of the fire will begin as soon as possible, he said.<\/p>\n
Richard Oviogor, who was in the area, told WABC-TV that he heard two explosions and what seemed like a \u201cbig shock wave.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. <\/p>\n
Download the FREE Boston 25 News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n