Investigators searched a shipyard on Staten Island’s north shore Saturday, seeking to determine what caused a fire and explosion that killed one civilian and injured more than 30 firefighters and other emergency responders a day earlier. The blast occurred Friday afternoon at the Mariners Harbor facility after crews from the New York City Fire Department responded to a report of a fire and heavy smoke that had trapped two workers in a basement area.
Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said that firefighters were called to the shipyard at about 3:30 p.m. Friday. Less than an hour later, as responders worked the scene, an explosion rocked the site.
One civilian died, and another was wounded, authorities said. A fire marshal and a firefighter were seriously injured, while 29 additional firefighters suffered minor to moderate injuries and four emergency medical services personnel were treated for minor injuries. All of the wounded were transported to area hospitals.
As of Saturday, investigators had not yet determined what caused the blast. Some firefighters remained at the shipyard as a precaution while the investigation continued, officials said.