NYC Shipyard Explosion Kills 1, Injures 36 in Staten Island

One person was killed and 36 others were injured Friday afternoon when a fire and two explosions ripped through a shipyard on Staten Island, triggering a massive emergency response that involved over 200 firefighters and EMS personnel. The majority of those injured were first responders, including a fire marshal who suffered a fractured skull and brain bleed.

The Incident

The fire was first reported at approximately 3:27 p.m. ET at 3075 Richmond Terrace in the Mariners Harbor neighborhood — the address of May Ship Repair, the only shipyard in the region that still performs vessel construction. Multiple callers reported smoke and two workers trapped in the basement of a 150-foot by 150-foot metal structure at the rear of the facility.

Firefighting and EMS crews arrived within six minutes of the first calls. But shortly after they arrived, the first explosion occurred, causing serious injuries to multiple fire department members and civilians — including one civilian who died at the scene. A second explosion struck approximately an hour later, at around 4:20 p.m., while five firefighters and rescue paramedics were actively searching for the trapped workers inside, on top of, and adjacent to the structure.

“Confined spaces are very dangerous operations for any rescuers,” FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito said during a press conference, as CBS New York reported.

Casualties and Injuries

The blast left 36 people injured: 31 firefighters, four EMS personnel, and one additional civilian. One civilian was killed at the scene; their identity has not yet been released.

The most critically injured was Fire Marshal Cucher, who suffered a fractured skull and a small brain bleed. He was intubated and listed in critical but stable condition. FDNY Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Prezant said medical teams would monitor him closely over the following 24 hours for signs of brain swelling.

“We will be watching him very carefully over the next 24 hours to make certain there is not subsequent brain swelling. As long as there is not, he should do well,” Prezant said, as reported by NPR.

A firefighter was also seriously injured but was reported to be doing “very well” by Friday evening. A doctor at Staten Island University Hospital noted that both firefighters were suffering from “silent” blast energy injuries, explaining that in a confined space, blast energy can penetrate organs without leaving external wounds. Fortunately, neither suffered penetrating injuries or damage to their heart, lungs, or abdomen.

Emergency Response

The fire escalated to two alarms, drawing over 200 first responders from more than 70 units. The blaze was brought under control at approximately 7:20 p.m. Victims were transported to Staten Island University Hospital and Richmond University Medical Center.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani held a press conference at the hospital Friday evening, calling the situation “a complex, fast-developing emergency situation.” In a statement on X, he said: “To the first responders who rushed toward danger without hesitation: thank you. As you do every day, you put yourselves in harm’s way so others could escape. Our city owes you a debt of gratitude.”

Governor Kathy Hochul also issued a statement, confirming that state agencies were coordinating with city officials as the investigation got underway.

Investigation and Background

The cause of the fire and explosions remains unknown. A joint investigation is being conducted by the FDNY HazMat team, the Department of Buildings, and the Department of Environmental Protection.

Witness Richard Oviogor told WABC-TV that he heard two explosions and what felt like a “big shock wave.” The area around the shipyard is home to several businesses, including a coffee roasting company and a self-storage facility.

May Ship Repair operates at the site of the former Bethlehem Steel Company’s Staten Island Shipyard, which built ships for the U.S. Navy during World War II. The company’s website states it has three dry docks and can accommodate vessels up to 300 feet long. In December 2012, an oil spill from the same site threatened a bird sanctuary off Staten Island, as previously reported by The New York Times.

What’s Next

The investigation into the cause of the blast will determine whether safety violations or hazardous materials contributed to the tragedy. The incident — the first major emergency response test of Mayor Mamdani’s administration — raises serious questions about workplace safety protocols at industrial shipyards, particularly regarding fire prevention and emergency response in confined spaces.

May Ship Repair could face scrutiny from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as well as potential legal action from injured workers and the family of the deceased civilian. The FDNY is also likely to review its protocols for confined space rescue operations following the high number of firefighter casualties.

As investigators continue their work at the scene, the focus remains on the recovery of the injured and the unanswered questions about how a routine fire response turned into one of the most dangerous incidents for New York City firefighters in recent years.