Just one day after the election of controversial socialist Zohran Mamdani, a vehicle fire in the Bronx, NYC, near Fox Street and Westchester Avenue detonated in a massive explosion, which injured seven FDNY firefighters.
According to the authorities, the injuries were serious but not life-threatening, and all of the brave public servants are expected to make a recovery; all are awake and alert despite serious hand and face burns, per Chief John Esposito.
The public was disturbed after viral footage showed a flaming white commercial van, eventually erupting into a massive fireball, accompanied by smoke plumes, minor explosions, and electrical sparks. However, despite the blaze, officials noted that the disaster was contained by 8:19 p.m. on November 5, 2025.
Offering more context of what appears to have happened here, a police spokesperson provided a summary of the event. “Multiple firefighters were injured after a burning car reportedly erupted in a massive explosion Wednesday evening in New York City,” the statement read.
Another official added more context, saying, “The blast originated from a vehicle at 7:13 p.m. in a mixed residential and commercial area of the Bronx, near Fox Street and Westchester Avenue. The fire was reportedly under control by 8:19 p.m.”
Frank Rojas, 26, an Amazon delivery driver who witnessed the incident, described the frightening details. “The fire started in the trash (outside an apartment building), and it spread under the car… The car popped. There was at least two explosions. The first popping was from the trash and the second … explosion was the car… The flames flew way up. It was a fireball,” he noted. Watch the explosion here:
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Likewise, the owner of the work truck was distraught. The unnamed owner said, “That’s my work van right there. It blew up like something from a mafia movies… The fire spread like gasoline had been poured all over the place.”
Other witnesses describe a valiant effort to extinguish the flames. “We were standing on the steps and a group of kids walked by and then there was a fire… We tried to throw water on it but it kept growing and then there was an explosion… they were standing close by to the flames,” one New Yorker said.
FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito took to social media to add additional context. “The explosion injured seven firefighters, five of them with burns to the hands and the face. Three of them are being admitted. The burns are considered serious, but non-life threatening,” the chief noted.
Adding to this point, he declared, “Our firefighters are awake, alert, and speaking, but they have some serious burns, and we’ll be praying for them. 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.”
Some users saw a dark comedy in the incident, comparing the blaze to the State of New York after the disappointing results of the recent mayoral race. “Vehicle explodes in The Bronx, New York, injuring multiple firefighters. Day 1 with Mayor Elect Mamdani,” one user pointed out.
Making a similar point, one comment noted, “Great metaphor for my city right now.” Another disgruntled conservative said, “That’s just New York imploding on itself.” Rounding out the comments, another user pointed out, “It’s like a comedy skit. What impeccable timing.”