Devastating Incident on Staten Island Barge
A tragic incident unfolded on Thursday afternoon in the Mariners Harbor area of Staten Island, where a worker was found deceased following an explosion aboard a petroleum barge named Casablanca. The explosion, which occurred at approximately 2:30 PM, reportedly originated from a container on the docked vessel, leading to a subsequent fire that required a massive emergency response.
The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) quickly mobilized over 50 units and around 160 personnel from fire, emergency medical services (EMS), and hazardous materials (HAZMAT) teams to combat the blaze. By 3:15 PM, the situation escalated to a second alarm, reflecting the intensity of the fire and the urgent need for additional resources to address the hazardous conditions at the site.
While the deceased worker has yet to be identified, officials confirmed that two firefighters sustained minor injuries during the operation. Fortunately, all other personnel aboard the barge have been accounted for. Local residents reported hearing a loud blast, with one neighbor sharing a video on the Citizen App shortly after the explosion, expressing distress over the recurrence of such tragic events, referencing a previous fatal explosion at a nearby shipyard in May.
Fire crews have since managed to bring the fire under control, although units remain at the scene to ensure the safe handling of any hazardous materials that may be present. The community is left in shock as they await further details about the incident and the identity of the victim involved.
As reported by abc7ny.com.
