January 1, Bronx Car Explosion Injures Firefighters, Sparks Chaos

Wyatt’s Take

• Fireball from Bronx car blast hospitalizes firefighters
• Video shows massive flames over city street
• Investigation underway, no pedestrian injuries

Seven firefighters got hurt when a car blew up in the Bronx, sending flames and smoke roaring above the streets. The blast happened as they fought a fire near Intervale Avenue Wednesday evening, according to city officials.

Footage of the explosion showed towering flames and thick smoke covering everything.

“There was a lot of garbage and debris on the sidewalk that was on fire. There were a couple of cars on fire. 
And shortly after we arrived on the scene, there was some sort of explosion, a large fireball,” Chief of Department John Esposito said at a news conference late Wednesday.

Three firefighters went to Jacobi Hospital with severe burns, while four others were treated for minor injuries. Five of them burned their hands and faces.

“The burns are considered serious, but not life-threatening,” said Esposito, who added the firefighters are “awake, alert and speaking.”

Sheldon Temperman, a doctor at Jacobi Hospital, noted he was “worried” but expects the first responders to recover from their injuries.

“I’ll be worried until they’re all home, but we do expect that they will recover from their injuries,” Temperman told reporters.

“A wall of fire came on them and surrounded them. What they were concerned about was their colleagues and their families. And there is a reason why I refer to you, folks, as New York’s greatest,” Temperman continued.

No pedestrians were reported hurt, police said. The sidewalk was covered in debris and the burnt shell of a car remained after the fire was put out by 8:19 p.m.

Hazmat crews and fire inspectors are investigating what caused the dangerous blast. The inquiry keeps going.

Stay sharp and keep watch—stories like these show how quickly things can change in our cities.

Wyatt Matters

When brave folks run towards danger so others stay safe, it reminds us how sacrifice and grit matter most. Every community counts on steady hands in a crisis.

Full story here