New York: A powerful explosion and fire at a shipyard in New York City has left one worker dead and more than 30 people injured, including several firefighters and rescue personnel, in one of the city’s largest industrial emergency responses in recent months.
The incident took place on Friday afternoon at the May Ship Repair facility in the Mariners Harbor area of Staten Island. Thick black smoke rose high above the waterfront as emergency crews rushed to the scene after reports of a fire inside a large industrial structure near the docks.
According to officials from the New York City Fire Department, the situation quickly became dangerous when explosions erupted while firefighters were carrying out rescue operations inside the building. Witnesses nearby said they heard loud blasts that shook surrounding streets and buildings.
More than 200 emergency workers, including firefighters, EMS teams, fire marshals, and hazardous materials crews, were deployed to the area. Around 70 fire and rescue units responded as authorities worked for several hours to control the flames and search for trapped workers.
City officials confirmed that one civilian worker died in the disaster. Authorities have not yet released the victim’s identity as family members are still being informed.
At least 36 others suffered injuries during the operation. Many of the injured were first responders who entered the structure to rescue workers and contain the fire. Officials said several firefighters suffered burns, smoke inhalation, and injuries caused by falling debris.
One fire marshal remains in critical but stable condition after suffering a serious head injury, including a skull fracture and internal bleeding. Another firefighter was also seriously injured but is reported to be stable in hospital.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani visited the scene later in the evening and praised the courage of the emergency crews who risked their lives during the rescue mission. He also expressed sympathy to the family of the worker who died in the tragedy.
Speaking to reporters, city officials said the fire occurred in a difficult industrial environment involving confined spaces and heavy equipment, which made the rescue effort extremely challenging. Hazardous materials teams were also called in to ensure that no dangerous chemicals or fuel leaks threatened nearby communities.
Residents in parts of Staten Island were advised to avoid the area while emergency operations continued through the night. Several roads near the shipyard were temporarily closed as firefighters carried out cooling operations and investigators examined the damaged building.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the explosion. Early reports suggest the fire may have started in a lower section of the structure before spreading rapidly and triggering the blasts. Investigators are looking into whether industrial equipment, fuel, or another technical failure may have caused the disaster.
The May Ship Repair facility is known for maritime repair and maintenance work and has operated in Staten Island’s industrial waterfront area for years. Safety inspectors and environmental officials are now working alongside fire investigators to determine what happened and whether safety violations may have played a role.
The explosion has once again raised concerns about industrial workplace safety in busy port and ship repair facilities across the United States. Local labour representatives have also called for a thorough investigation to ensure the protection of workers and emergency personnel in hazardous industrial environments.
Officials said the investigation is expected to continue over the coming days as crews secure the damaged site and gather evidence from inside the building.