'Fast-developing emergency': 1 killed, several injured after fire, explosions at New York City Shipyard

One person was killed and at least 36 others, including firefighters and first responders, were injured after a fire triggered two explosions at a shipyard in New York City on Friday, officials said. Authorities described the incident as a “complex, fast-developing emergency” as crews battled flames late into the night.The fire broke out around 3.30 pm (local time) at a 150-foot-by-150-foot metal structure located at the rear of the shipyard. Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said emergency services reached the scene within six minutes after multiple callers reported smoke and two workers trapped in the basement.Shortly after firefighters arrived, the first explosion ripped through the structure, injuring several fire department personnel and civilians. One civilian was pronounced dead at the scene.A second blast happened while five firefighters and rescue paramedics were searching for the trapped workers inside and around the structure, according to Chief of Department John Esposito. The explosion caused further injuries, with the most serious suffered by a firefighter and a fire marshal who were inside the building when the shock wave hit.The fire marshal remains in critical but stable condition with a fractured skull and a minor brain bleed, said Fire Department chief medical officer Dr David Prezant, as quoted by Associated Press. He added that doctors were closely monitoring him for possible brain swelling over the next 24 hours.The injured firefighter was initially listed in serious condition but was “doing very well” by Friday evening and remained under observation for potential muscle injuries, Prezant said. “This was a complex, fast-developing emergency situation,” New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani told reporters during an evening briefing.More than 200 firefighters continued to work at the site Friday night as the blaze remained under control but had not been fully extinguished. Officials said a detailed investigation into the cause of the fire and explosions would begin once the area was secured.Eyewitness Richard Oviogor told local broadcaster WABC-TV he heard two explosions followed by what felt like a “big shock wave”.The shipyard area houses several commercial businesses, including a coffee roasting facility and a self-storage company. The site was previously owned by Bethlehem Steel, which built ships for the US Navy during World War II.