Firefighter killed and seven cops injured after massive explosion rips through ‘drug lab’ inside New York house
Neighbours reported a 'huge boom' as the property blew up
A GAS explosion in New York City has killed a fire department captain and injured seven cops others after a 'drugs lab' blew up.
The blast reportedly happened in a residential home after firefighters were called to reports of a gas leak at a house in The Bronx area early on Tuesday morning.
The reported that firefighters arrived at the house and discovered what appeared to be a "homemade drug laboratory" before calling police.
The explosion happened around 7.30am, after the property had been evacuated and cops and firefighters were walking in and out.
The fire department captain, named as Battalion Chief Michael J. Fahy, was rushed to hospital, but he tragically later died from his injuries.
Eight other people were injured - including seven cops who were with the NYPD Emergency Services Unit, and another firefighter.
Locals reported hearing a "huge boom".
Maureen Murphy, 45, said she was terrified by the noise: “When I came out of my house this morning I got really scared.
"The police, the fire department, everybody was rushing in here."
She added: “I live about three blocks away and I heard the explosion — it was loud, my windows shook. It was so close.
"I didn’t know if it was my building or not. That’s how loud it was … My daughter came running and said, ‘Oh my God! Mom, what happened?’”
Streets had been closed off in the area and video footage appeared to show a destroyed home.
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Neighbours of the property also revealed the blast was huge when the house blew up.
Jay Soto, 57, told the New York Post: “It was a big explosion, big explosion.
“Everyone came out and asked, ‘What was that?’ I could see that it was serious. There are many ambulances and firetrucks. I saw black smoke.”
The incident is under investigation.
Jennifer Mullane, 32, who works as a physical therapist assistant said: "There was a huge boom, the whole building shook. My dogs got scared. They were freaking out.
"The police station is right across the street.
“And I really knew something was wrong when all of the cops started running. There was a lot of smoke and ashes were coming down.”
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