Overview
- A reported confined-space fire at the Richmond Terrace dry dock drew firefighters just before 3:30 p.m. and a major explosion struck the scene about 50–60 minutes later, injuring responders and workers.
- City officials said one civilian died at the scene and the count of injured rose through the evening to the mid-30s, with many of the wounded being firefighters and EMS personnel.
- More than 200 FDNY and EMS personnel from about 68 units responded and a 10-66 accountability alert was activated before all members were located and hospitals began treating the wounded.
- New York’s HazMat unit, the Department of Buildings, the Department of Environmental Protection and city fire marshals are investigating site conditions, fuel or chemical risks, and the sequence that led to the blast.
- The dry dock sits on a former Bethlehem Steel complex and the incident highlights the dangers of confined-space operations and the need for a full safety and structural review once the scene is secured.