Longwood Bronx vehicle explosion injures firefighters, large blaze

A powerful vehicle explosion in the Longwood section of the Bronx on Wednesday evening injured multiple New York City firefighters and set off a large blaze that damaged nearby vehicles and prompted a multiagency investigation, officials said. Fire officials said crews were on Westchester Avenue near Fox Street shortly after 7 p.m. responding to reports of trash and debris burning on the sidewalk when a vehicle erupted, producing a large fireball and additional smaller blasts.

Fire Department of New York officials said several firefighters suffered burn injuries; three were admitted to Jacobi Hospital with burns that officials described as serious but not life threatening. FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito said most of the injured sustained burns to their hands and faces and that the firefighters were awake and alert. Hospital staff said they expect the injured to recover. Emergency Medical Service crews transported the responders to the hospital, Esposito added.

Witnesses described flames shooting high into the air and the block shaking as the blast occurred. Video circulating online showed a white commercial-style van engulfed in flames moments before a large fireball and...