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Seven New York City firefighters were hurt during an explosion as they responded to a fire involving trash and a car in the Bronx, officials said.
Five of the injured firefighters suffered burns to the hands and face, and three were admitted to a hospital, New York City Fire Chief John Esposito said. None of the injuries were life-threatening.
All the firefighters were awake and alert, Esposito said.
“But they have some serious burns, and we’ll be obviously praying for them,” he said.
The explosion occurred after firefighters responded to a report of a blaze shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday and found burning trash and vehicles on fire on Westchester Avenue, Esposito said.
“There was a lot of garbage and debris on the sidewalk that was on fire. There were a couple of cars that were on fire,” Esposito said.
Shortly after crews arrived, “there was some sort of explosion, a large fireball,” he said.
What caused the blast was under investigation.
A bystander recorded the explosion from inside a building. In the video, a fireball erupts several feet into the air and past the building’s panes of glass, showering sparks.
Neighborhood resident Jose Luis Rojas told NBC New York that the explosion happened fast.
“Before you know it, it was a big explosion — the firemen had to run,” he said.
Jacobi Medical Center surgeon Dr. Sheldon Teperman said the injured firefighters are expected to recover. Calling them “New York’s bravest,” Teperman said he spoke to the firefighters at the hospital.
“A wall of fire came on them and surrounded them,” he said. “What they were concerned about was their colleagues and their families.”
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