NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A car explosion in the Bronx late Wednesday night left seven firefighters were injured, according to the FDNY, who is investigating the incident.
Firefighters initially responded to multiple calls for a fire at 955 Westchester Ave. in Longwood, where they found several vehicles and piles of refuse ablaze. Crews were actively working to extinguish the flames when a sudden blast occurred at about 7:06 p.m., officials said.
"The explosion injured seven firefighters, five of them with burns to the hands and the face, according to Chief of Department John Esposito.
The burns are considered serious, but non-life threatening. "Our firefighters are awake, alert and speaking, but they have some serious burns, and we'll be praying for them," Esposito added.
"With quick action by our Emergency Medical Service, they were transported to Jacobi Hospital, where they were given great care by Jacobi Hospital emergency personnel in the trauma and burn center."
FDNY Fire Marshals are working to determine the cause of the fire.