Bronx Explosion Possibly Sparked by a Cigarette
A careless cigarette flick may have caused a powerful explosion in the Bronx, launching a fireball into the night sky and injuring several firefighters. Surveillance footage from Wednesday evening in the Longwood neighborhood shows a person tossing a lit cigarette onto the sidewalk.
Strong winds seemed to carry the cigarette into a pile of trash, sparking a fire that quickly spread to several parked vehicles. Firefighters responded to the scene on Fox Street near Westchester Avenue, where a large explosion suddenly erupted, sending flames high into the air.
Injuries and Damage
Seven firefighters were hurt, sustaining burns to their hands and faces. According to officials, none of the injuries were life-threatening. The injured were transported to Jacobi Hospital, with two still recovering as of Thursday evening.
The explosion left scorched debris and destroyed cars along the street. One woman told NBC New York that her car had exploded, destroying two strollers and costly car seats. She said she was left searching for other ways to transport her two toddlers.
“It was my car that exploded. I lost two strollers and expensive car seats,” she told NBC New York.
Community Reaction
Local residents said the garbage should not have been there that night. Because of Election Day, trash collection was postponed until Thursday, leaving the waste pile that likely fueled the blaze.
Summary
A tossed cigarette, strong winds, and delayed trash pickup combined to ignite a destructive Bronx explosion that injured seven firefighters and destroyed multiple vehicles.