OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
6:09 PM – Friday, May 22, 2026
A massive fire and subsequent explosion ripped through a Staten Island shipyard on Friday afternoon, killing one civilian and injuring 36 other people, the majority of them firefighters, prompting a massive emergency response.
At least three individuals, including a firefighter, a fire marshal, and a civilian, suffered serious injuries when the secondary explosion caught them inside the structure. Two additional firefighters sustained moderate injuries, while many other first responders were treated for minor injuries, with the total casualty count rising throughout the evening as personnel were evaluated.
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The emergency drew over 200 firefighters and medical personnel from 68 distinct FDNY units to the active waterfront property at 3075 Richmond Terrace in the Mariners Harbor neighborhood. According to fire officials, crews were initially dispatched at 3:30 p.m. to reports of two workers trapped in a confined space.
Upon arrival, first responders had encountered a fire burning in the basement area of a large metal structure, which initial reports suggested may have been a “barge at the dock.” Roughly 50 minutes later, around 4:20 p.m., that basement fire triggered the devastating secondary blast while crews were still inside.
The site of the disaster is a bustling commercial hub home to several operating businesses, including a self-storage facility and a coffee roasting company. Historically, the area was owned by the Bethlehem Steel Company, a major industrial landmark that famously manufactured ships for the United States Navy during World War II.
Due to the volatile nature of the industrial site and the severity of the blast, several specialized city agencies, including the Department of Buildings, the Department of Environmental Protection, and hazardous materials units, remained on the scene to secure the perimeter and monitor for environmental hazards.
Arson and explosion investigators have since launched an inquiry to determine the exact cause of the initial blaze — while rescue teams continue to cross-reference employee logs to ensure all site personnel are fully accounted for.
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