Seven firefighters were injured yesterday in an explosion while responding to multiple car and trash fires in the Bronx, FDNY officials reported. According to a statement obtained by Gothamist, the incident took place around 7 p.m. on Westchester Avenue near Kelly Street in the Longwood area. First responders arrived to find several vehicles and piles of trash on fire.
Five of the seven injured firefighters sustained serious burns to their hands and faces, with three admitted to Jacobi Hospital. FDNY Chief John Esposito described them as "awake, alert and speaking, but they have some serious burns, and we'll be praying for them." Video footage posted on the Citizen app showed a large ball of flames in the night sky and the aftermath of a charred car and debris. New York City Emergency Management issued warnings for traffic delays and road closures due to emergency response activity while crews worked to control the fire, which was brought under control by 8:20 p.m. Rep. Mike Lawler, as reported by Gothamist, offered prayers for the injured firefighters on social media and recognized their service in protecting the community.
The FDNY is investigating the cause of the explosion, with fire marshals reviewing surveillance footage to determine the source of the fire. NY1 reported that witnesses described hearing multiple explosions and seeing nearby trees and trash piles ignite. One witness said, "The car was already in flames and the tree on the sidewalk was already in flames, the garbage was in flames already, and there was like three explosions."
Despite the serious nature of their injuries, Dr. Sheldon Teperman, director of Jacobi’s trauma center, said all seven firefighters are expected to make full recoveries. He remarked, "a wall of fire came on them and surrounded them, and what they were concerned about is their colleagues and their families,” Teperman said, “There’s a reason I refer to [firefighters] as New York’s Bravest,” per NY1.
