A dramatic explosion rocked the Longwood neighborhood of the Bronx Wednesday evening, when a fire-call near a parked van erupted into a massive fireball, injuring seven firefighters and triggering a full investigation by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY).

The incident began around 7:06 p.m. at a location between Intervale Avenue and Kelly Street, where firefighters were responding to reports of rubbish and debris ablaze on the sidewalk. Observers watched as flames spread to multiple vehicles, and the situation swiftly escalated into a high-intensity blast.

Chief of Department John Esposito said the explosion produced a towering fireball and that nearby debris included a white commercial van that appears to have been involved in the ignition. Among the injured, three firefighters were hospitalized with serious burns to their hands and faces at Jacobi Medical Center, while the remaining four sustained milder injuries. All remain conscious and alert.

Despite the severity of the blast and the visually intense fireball captured on video, no civilian injuries were reported and the blaze was declared under control by approximately 8:19 p.m. Investigators from FDNY’s Bureau of Fire Investigation and hazmat teams are on site to determine the cause of the explosion.

Residents in the area described the scene as terrifying, one witness said she thought the building itself was shaking as flames engulfed nearby parked cars. Fire crews said the response turned perilous when the fire rapidly expanded across multiple vehicles.