Cigarette flick that sparked massive Bronx car explosion caught on video
A cigarette flick that sparked a blockbuster car explosion in the Bronx, seriously injuring seven firefighters and destroying several vehicles, was captured on stunning surveillance video that the FDNY released Friday night to warn against disposing of cigarette butts.
“The INCREASED disposal of this cigarette caused a major explosion, injuring seven firefighters. Five of them were treated for severe burns to their arms and faces,” the FDNY posted on X. “NEVER throw away your cigarette butts! Properly extinguish your cigarettes BEFORE throwing them away.”
The explosion took place shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday at Westchester Avenue and Fox Street in Longwood. Three vehicles, including a fire truck, were also damaged in the explosion.
“That’s my work van right there. It blew up like a mafia movie,” said a man who works as a roofer and whose white Ford van was destroyed in the eruption. “The fire spread as if gasoline had been spilled everywhere.”
A blue Toyota Camry was also destroyed.
“I received a call that my car was on fire,” said the vehicle’s owner, who wished to remain anonymous.
“It started in the trash and spread. I heard some firefighters were injured,” she said. “I’m distraught.”
The inferno was under control around 8:19 p.m., officials said.
The injured firefighters were transported to Jacobi Hospital by EMS, the FDNY said.
“The burns are considered serious, but not life-threatening,” FDNY Department Chief John Esposito said at a news conference Thursday evening. “The members, our firefighters, are awake and alert and talking, but they have serious burns. We’re obviously going to pray for them.”
