Seven firefighters were badly hurt after a fire in the Bronx spread to a car and sparked an explosion, according to the FDNY and a law enforcement source.
Firefighters arrived at the tire shop on Westchester Avenue in the Longwood neighborhood just after 7 p.m. Wednesday, fire officials said, finding a fire had broken out in some trash and cars. Not long after they got to the scene, there was an explosion.
According to a law enforcement source, after the initial fire broke out, the flames had spread to parked cars. As firefighters worked to extinguish the fire, the explosion occurred.
Seven firefighters in all were injured, the FDNY said, five of whom suffered burns to their hands and face. The injured firefighters were taken to Jacobi Hospital, with three being admitted.
An FDNY chief said during a press conference that the burns were considered serious, but not life-threatening. All of the firefighters were awake and talking at the hospital, with each expected to recover.
It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion. While there were some strong gusts at the time, wind was not believed to have been a factor.
An investigation into the fire and explosion is ongoing.
