One worker died Thursday after an explosion ripped through a petroleum barge on Staten Island, triggering a massive fire that drew one of the largest FDNY responses of the year.
The blast hit the barge Casablanca at roughly 2:35 p.m. Along Richmond Terrace near South Avenue in the Mariners Harbor neighborhood, the FDNY and law enforcement sources said. The vessel, a petroleum barge, was carrying only a single worker at the time of detonation, according to police.
That lone worker did not survive. Law enforcement sources confirmed one fatality in the incident, which remains under investigation.
The explosion immediately ignited a shipping container measuring 10 feet by 40 feet, officials said. The fire quickly escalated to a second alarm as flames and thick smoke billowed from the cargo area.
Footage captured at the scene showed dense, dark plumes rising from the vessel and visible across the waterfront.
The FDNY deployed 53 units to the site, comprising 160 fire, EMS and Hazmat personnel. The scale of the response reflected both the intensity of the blaze and the potential for secondary hazards at a petroleum facility.
Crews remained on scene approximately two hours after the initial blast, working to secure the barge and prevent additional explosions. The operation required careful handling given the volatile materials involved.
The cause of the explosion had not been determined as of Thursday evening. Investigators were expected to examine the vessel’s cargo, equipment and operational conditions in the coming days.
The Casablanca was situated at a dry dock facility in a heavily industrial stretch of Staten Island’s north shore. The area has long served maritime traffic and petroleum transfer operations.
Thursday’s incident marked one of the most serious industrial accidents in New York City this year, measured both by the emergency response and the human toll. The death of the sole worker aboard underscored the isolated danger of the moment.
No additional injuries to firefighters or other personnel were immediately reported, though officials noted the response was ongoing.
The FDNY had not released the identity of the deceased worker pending notification of family members. The investigation was expected to involve multiple agencies given the maritime and hazardous materials dimensions of the case.
Authorities asked anyone with information about operations aboard the Casablanca to contact investigators as they worked to determine what triggered the fatal blast.