A three‑alarm fire broke out at an auto body junkyard on September 11, 2026, in Staten Island’s Port Richmond neighborhood, prompting a large‑scale response from the FDNY, city officials and hazardous‑materials specialists.
The blaze erupted at the property located at 99 Rector Street, a site used for storing and dismantling discarded vehicles. Flames quickly engulfed the yard’s structures and piles of metal, prompting the fire department to elevate the incident to three alarms.
Firefighters from multiple units arrived within minutes, establishing fire lines and deploying hoses to contain the inferno. Hazardous‑materials experts were called in to assess the potential presence of automotive fluids and other chemicals that could complicate suppression efforts. City officials monitored the scene and coordinated with the department to ensure public safety.
The fire was brought under control by late evening, though smoldering debris remained at the site. No injuries were reported, and nearby residents were not evacuated. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with authorities reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses.
The incident underscores the challenges of responding to fires at locations that house large quantities of metal and hazardous substances. While the origin of the blaze is still unknown, officials emphasized that the multi‑agency response helped prevent further spread to adjacent properties.
The FDNY’s Hazardous Materials Unit established containment perimeters and conducted air monitoring to detect any release of toxic vapors from automotive fluids present in the junkyard. Personnel used protective equipment while extinguishing the fire and later while assessing the site for residual hazards.
City officials indicated that demolition and cleanup operations will commence once the area is declared safe, a process that may take several days given the volume of metal scrap and potential contamination.