UMVA has learned that a devastating explosion and fire ripped through a Staten Island shipyard on Friday afternoon, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake.
The blast, which occurred at 3075 Richmond Terrace, sent dozens of firefighters and first responders rushing to hospitals, with one civilian confirmed dead. The New York City Fire Department sprang into action, confirming that 34 people were taken to area hospitals, with several in critical condition.
A fire marshal, a firefighter, and a civilian are among those in the most serious condition, with the fire marshal reportedly suffering a brain bleed and remaining in critical condition. The incident unfolded when authorities received a distress call at 3:27 p.m. local time, reporting workers trapped in a confined space.
As first responders arrived on the scene, they were met with smoke and flames burning in the basement of a massive 150-by-150-foot metal building situated at the back of the shipping docks. Two people were trapped, according to officials, but fortunately, no other people remain unaccounted for.
The situation took a catastrophic turn when a second alarm was transmitted at 4:08 p.m., and just 11 minutes later, a "major explosion" tore through the site, triggering a massive fire and emergency response. The FDNY deployed an army of 68 units and 212 fire and EMS personnel to combat the blaze.
As the FDNY continues to operate on the scene, New York City HazMat teams, the Department of Buildings, and the Department of Environmental Protection have been notified. The community is in shock, and New York Attorney General Letitia James has expressed her condolences, taking to social media to praise the FDNY's swift response and pray for those injured.
The aftermath of the explosion has left many questions unanswered, but one thing is clear: the city will be reeling from the impact of this tragedy for a long time to come. The investigation is ongoing, and officials are working tirelessly to piece together the events leading up to the devastating blast.
