Staten Island Shipyard Fire And Explosions Kill 1, Injure 36 People
One person died and 36 people were injured, most of them firefighters and other first responders, after a fire and two explosions Friday at a Staten Island shipyard at 3075 Richmond Terrace.[1]
Firefighters found a blaze burning in the basement of a 150-by-150-foot metal building after multiple 911 calls about smoke and trapped workers.[2] Crews arrived within about six minutes of the calls.[3] A major explosion occurred roughly 50 minutes after crews arrived, about 4:19 p.m. Central.[4] Officials said a second blast hit while firefighters and rescue paramedics were searching for trapped workers.[3] A fire marshal inside during the second explosion is in critical but stable condition with a fractured skull and a small brain bleed, and a firefighter suffered serious but improving injuries.[1] FDNY said about 68 units and roughly 212 fire and EMS personnel responded to the scene.[4]
Multiple calls came in around 3:30 p.m. Central Friday reporting smoke and two workers trapped in the building's basement, prompting the fast response.[2] The structure sits at the rear of the shipping docks at 3075 Richmond Terrace in a former Bethlehem Steel shipyard and houses several businesses, including a coffee roaster and a self-storage facility.[4]
Early coverage Friday evening reported 16 people injured at the scene, including multiple firefighters.[4] Later statements by officials and updated reporting revised the toll to 36 people injured and confirmed one civilian death at the scene.[3]
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Friday night the fire was burning but under control and that a comprehensive investigation will begin as soon as possible.[1] FDNY also notified Hazardous Materials teams, the Department of Buildings and the Department of Environmental Protection as part of the response.[4]
Show source details & analysis (5 sources)
📌 Key Facts
- Multiple calls came in around 3:30 p.m. Central on Friday, May 22, 2026, reporting smoke and two workers trapped in the basement of a 150-by-150-foot metal structure; fire and EMS units arrived within six minutes (150-by-150-foot metal structure).
- FDNY said firefighters found a fire burning in the building’s basement and a major explosion occurred roughly 50 minutes after crews arrived, reported at about 4:19 p.m. Central (4:19 p.m.).
- Officials reported two explosions overall, with a second blast occurring while firefighters and rescue paramedics were searching for trapped workers; one civilian died at the scene and a total of 36 people were injured, most of them firefighters and other first responders (36 people were injured).
- A fire marshal who was inside the structure during the second explosion is in critical but stable condition with a fractured skull and a small brain bleed, and a firefighter who was also inside is in serious but improving condition (fire marshal).
- FDNY dispatched a large response — reporting 68 units and roughly 212 fire and EMS personnel (more than 200 responders) to the Staten Island shipyard incident (68 units).
- The incident occurred at the rear of the shipping docks at 3075 Richmond Terrace in a metal building at a former Bethlehem Steel shipyard that houses several businesses, including a coffee roaster and a self-storage facility (3075 Richmond Terrace).
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani and officials said the fire was burning but under control that night and that a comprehensive investigation into the cause will begin as soon as possible (Mayor Zohran Mamdani).
📰 Source Timeline (5)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Article confirms the incident involved a fire and two explosions on Friday, May 22, 2026, at a 150-by-150-foot metal structure at the back of a New York City shipyard formerly owned by Bethlehem Steel.
- Officials now say 36 people were injured, most of them firefighters and other first responders, and one civilian died at the scene.
- A firefighter and a fire marshal were inside the structure when a second explosion occurred; both were seriously injured by the blast shock wave.
- Fire department chief medical officer Dr. David Prezant said the fire marshal is in critical but stable condition with a fractured skull and a small brain bleed, and the firefighter, initially in serious condition, was reported to be doing very well by Friday evening.
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Friday night that over 200 firefighters remained on scene, that the fire was burning but under control, and that a comprehensive investigation into the cause will start as soon as possible.
- Witness Richard Oviogor told WABC-TV he heard two explosions and felt what seemed like a big shock wave; officials note the surrounding area includes several businesses such as a coffee roaster and self-storage facility.
- Officials said on Friday, May 22, 2026, that one civilian died at the scene of the Staten Island shipyard incident and 36 people were injured, most of them firefighters and other first responders.
- Authorities reported two explosions: an initial blast shortly after crews arrived and a second explosion while five firefighters and rescue paramedics were searching for trapped workers in and around the structure.
- A fire marshal and a firefighter inside the structure during the second blast suffered the most serious injuries; the marshal is in critical but stable condition with a fractured skull and small brain bleed, while the firefighter is in serious but improving condition.
- New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the fire remained burning but under control on Friday night, with more than 200 firefighters still on scene, and that a comprehensive investigation into the cause will begin as soon as possible.
- Officials provided more precise timing, saying multiple calls came in around 3:30 p.m. on May 22 about smoke and two workers trapped in the basement of a 150-by-150-foot metal structure; fire and EMS units arrived within six minutes.
- Article confirms the incident occurred Friday, May 22, 2026, with the initial 911 call at 3:27 p.m. local time and a major explosion at 4:19 p.m.
- FDNY told Fox News Digital that 16 people were transported to area hospitals, specifying one civilian and two firefighters with serious injuries, two firefighters with moderate injuries, and nine firefighters plus two EMS workers with minor injuries.
- The affected structure is described as a 150-by-150-foot metal building at the rear of the shipping docks at 3075 Richmond Terrace between Lockman and Andros avenues.
- FDNY reports that a second alarm was transmitted at 4:08 p.m., shortly before the explosion, and that 68 units and 212 fire and EMS personnel responded.
- New York HazMat teams, the Department of Buildings and the Department of Environmental Protection were notified, and FDNY operations were still ongoing as of the report.
- New York Attorney General Letitia James publicly responded on X, thanking FDNY for its response and saying she is praying for those injured.
- Article states the initial emergency call came at about 3:30 p.m. Eastern on Friday, May 22, 2026, for two workers reported trapped in a confined space at the dock.
- FDNY spokesperson Joanne Mariano says firefighters first found a fire burning in the basement of a large metal structure at the dock and that a major explosion occurred roughly 50 minutes after crews arrived.
- By 5 p.m. Eastern, emergency workers had counted 16 injured on site, including two firefighters and one civilian with serious injuries, two additional firefighters with moderate injuries, and the remaining victims with minor injuries.
- FDNY reports more than 200 firefighters and EMS personnel from 68 units responded to the incident Friday evening.
- Officials say the cause of the fire and subsequent explosion remains under investigation and note the dock houses several businesses, including a coffee roasting company and a self‑storage facility, at a former Bethlehem Steel shipyard site.