A fatal fire and double explosion at the May Ship Repair shipyard on Staten Island killed one civilian and injured up to 40 others—primarily firefighters—on Friday, May 22, 2026. The incident drew a massive emergency response of over 200 first responders to the industrial Mariners Harbor neighborhood.
Summary of the Incident
- Timeline: The FDNY received a 911 call at 3:27 p.m. regarding a fire and two workers trapped in a confined space. Within six minutes, crews arrived at 3075 Richmond Terrace. A major second explosion blindsided responders at 4:19 p.m..
- Location: The blast happened inside a 150-by-150-foot metal structure at the bottom of a floating dry dock. The shockwave was powerful enough to rattle homes and businesses throughout the surrounding community.
- Casualties: 57-year-old Xiaoyuan Li of Flushing, Queens, died at the scene. Another worker escaped with injuries. A total of 39 FDNY members and first responders sustained injuries from the intense energy wave.
Status of Injured Responders
According to updates from ABC7 New York and FDNY Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Prezant, the two most severely hurt first responders are currently in stable condition:
- Fire Marshal Christopher Cuccaro: Suffered a fractured skull and a brain bleed. He remains intubated and under close observation.
- Firefighter Vincent Delgado: Sustained serious blast injuries but is recovering well without organ damage.
- Other Responders: Over 30 additional firefighters and EMS personnel were treated at area hospitals for minor-to-moderate injuries.
Ongoing Investigation
The shipyard operations remain suspended while local authorities look for the origin of the blast. Fire marshals, the Department of Buildings, and the Department of Environmental Protection are investigating potential industrial equipment failures, hazardous materials, and fuel sources. Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated that a comprehensive investigation will proceed as quickly as safety allows.
Watch the breaking news coverage and initial scene footage of the emergency response on Staten Island:
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