UMVA has learned that a devastating explosion rocked a Staten Island shipyard on Friday afternoon, leaving at least 16 people injured, with three suffering serious injuries.
The blast, which occurred around 4:20 p.m., sent shockwaves through the area, and emergency responders rushed to the scene to treat the wounded. Among those injured were two firefighters and one civilian, whose conditions are reported to be critical.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the trouble began when firefighters responded to a report of workers trapped in a confined space at the dock around 3:30 p.m. Upon arrival, they found a fire burning in the basement of a metal structure at the dock.
As crews worked to contain the blaze, a massive explosion ripped through the site roughly 50 minutes later, causing widespread destruction and chaos. The force of the blast was so powerful that it inflicted injuries on several firefighters, who were battling the fire at the time.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the shipyard was in chaos as emergency workers struggled to evacuate the area and provide medical aid to the injured. The FDNY received the initial report of a fire and workers trapped in a basement about an hour before the explosion, and responders acted swiftly to mitigate the disaster.
The aftermath of the explosion saw 16 people accounted for with injuries, including two firefighters and one civilian with serious conditions. The cause of the explosion remains a mystery, leaving investigators to sift through the wreckage to piece together the events leading up to the disaster.
