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One dead, 36 injured in explosion at New York shipyard

Most of the injured are firefighters and emergency workers

One person has been killed and 36 injured in an explosion at a New York shipyard, the Associated Press reported, citing government figures.

Most of the injured were firefighters and emergency workers. While they were extinguishing a fire at the facility, a second explosion occurred, seriously injuring several firefighters and civilians, one of whom later died.

The incident occurred at a shipyard on Staten Island. According to the New York Fire Department, a report of two workers trapped in a confined space was received at around 3:30 p.m. local time.

Rescuers who arrived at the scene of the incident found a fire in the basement of a metal structure, and approximately 50 minutes later a second powerful explosion occurred.

The cause of the fire and explosion is under investigation. More than 200 firefighters and emergency services personnel participated in the cleanup.