The scene of the explosion at 955 Westchester Ave. in the Bronx.  

By Ben Crnic From Daily Voice

Seven New York City firefighters were injured — five of them seriously — after an explosion erupted while they were battling a fire involving multiple vehicles and rubbish piles in the Bronx. 

The fire broke out around 955 Westchester Ave., prompting multiple 911 calls just before firefighters arrived on the scene. As crews worked to extinguish the blaze, an explosion occurred, injuring seven members of the department, the FDNY said. 

According to FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito, five firefighters sustained burns to their hands and faces, and three were admitted to Jacobi Hospital for treatment.

“The burns are considered serious, but non-life-threatening,” Esposito said, adding, “Our firefighters are awake, alert, and speaking, but they have some serious burns, and we’ll be praying for them.”

He credited the FDNY’s Emergency Medical Service with responding swiftly to provide care and transport the injured firefighters to Jacobi Hospital’s trauma and burn center, where they received treatment from emergency personnel.

As of late Wednesday, FDNY Fire Marshals were still investigating the cause of the fire and explosion.