An afternoon explosion and fire ripped through a barge at a Mariners Harbor shipyard on Friday, injuring at least 16 people and sending several to local hospitals. Multiple FDNY members were among the wounded, triggering a large emergency response along Richmond Terrace. The blast shook nearby businesses and forced road closures on a busy stretch of the North Shore while crews scrambled to get control of the scene.
Blast and initial response
The fire started around 3:30 p.m. Friday on a barge at the shipyard and quickly grew into a two-alarm blaze, followed by an explosion shortly after 4:20 p.m., according to CBS New York. Hazmat units and multiple city agencies were called in as firefighters worked to knock down the flames and secure the waterfront. Responders also reported concern that a worker might still be trapped when they arrived, prompting searches in and around the barge.
Who was hurt
Authorities said 16 people were injured in the incident, including firefighters and EMS personnel. ABC7 New York reported that injuries ranged from minor to serious. Two firefighters and one civilian were listed as seriously hurt, two firefighters suffered moderate injuries, and several other firefighters along with two EMS members sustained minor wounds. The seriously injured were taken to area hospitals for treatment, and officials had not released patient names or specific hospital information in the early hours of the response.
Where it happened
The incident took place at a waterfront site listed in city records as 3075 Richmond Terrace in Mariners Harbor, home to a long-running ship repair yard that services barges and other vessels along the Kill Van Kull. May Ship Repair and neighboring marine businesses required a coordinated attack from both the water and the street as emergency teams fought the blaze. Crews set up a command post on Richmond Terrace between Lockman and Andros avenues while multiple city agencies converged on the scene, according to CBS New York.
Investigation and environmental concerns
City inspectors and the FDNY fire marshal are expected to lead the investigation into what triggered the explosion, while hazmat teams and the Department of Environmental Protection monitored for any fuel or chemical releases, according to ABC7 New York. Planning documents and brownfield listings highlight the site’s industrial past, including historical ship repair operations at 3075 Richmond Terrace, as noted in the Port Richmond–Mariners Harbor BOA (NY DOS).
Neighbors and next steps
Road closures remained in effect as officials urged drivers to steer clear of the area while crews continued working. Neighbors described loud explosions and heavy smoke as units stayed on scene into the evening. Investigators are expected to take time to fully secure the site and evaluate structural and environmental risks before any shipyard operations resume. This story will be updated as hospitals and city agencies release condition updates and as investigators share their findings.
