A car explosion that injured seven New York City firefighters was caused by a discarded cigarette, officials said.
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) reported that the incident took place on Wednesday evening, Nov. 5, at 955 Westchester Ave. in the Bronx. When firefighters arrived, they found several vehicles and piles of garbage on fire. Moments later, an explosion occurred, injuring seven responders.
According to the FDNY, five firefighters sustained burns to their hands and faces, and three were taken to a hospital for treatment.
“The burns are considered serious but not life-threatening. Our firefighters are awake, alert, and speaking, but they have some serious burns, and we’ll be praying for them,” the department said in a statement.
On Thursday, Nov. 6, FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito announced that fire marshals determined the blaze began due to the “careless disposal of a lit cigarette.”
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“The cigarette set some nearby garbage on fire,” Esposito explained in a video posted on X. “The fire then spread to a vehicle parked close by, igniting its gas tank and causing a major explosion.”
Esposito added that all of the injured firefighters are expected to make full recoveries. “We are thankful that all of these injuries are non-life-threatening,” he said.
A roofer told the New York Daily News that his work van was destroyed in the blast. “It blew up like something from a mafia [movie],” he said. “The fire spread like gasoline had been poured all over the place.”
Video of the incident obtained by ABC affiliate WABC showed a massive fireball erupting from the scene following the explosion.
Esposito urged smokers to avoid flicking cigarette butts and to make sure they are fully extinguished before disposal.
