Investigators are probing the May Ship Repair Contracting Corporation blast that killed a subcontractor and left dozens wounded on Staten Island. A fire ignited a dry dock under construction on Friday, triggering two explosions that rocked the shipyard. Company executive Nadia Adam, who runs the business with fewer than 50 staff, said the incident shocked the workforce. The blast also halted work on vessels, causing disruptions.

First responders arrived at 3:30 p.m., and after the initial blast a second detonation injured 34 firefighters and several emergency‑medical technicians. A fire marshal suffered a brain injury and head fracture, remaining in serious condition at Staten Island University Hospital. More than 200 personnel, including police and fire units, worked to extinguish the blaze by evening.

The incident underscores safety risks for small, locally hired shipyards that lack the capital of larger yards. With the dock project nine months into construction, insurers may reassess premiums, and clients could delay contracts pending the investigation’s findings. May Ship Repair is cooperating fully, and officials say determining the fire’s cause remains the top priority. Local contractors are watching closely.