A New York City firefighter died and at least a half-dozen others were injured Tuesday morning when a suspected drug lab exploded while authorities were responding to a report of a gas leak.
Officials did not immediately identify the slain firefighter, although Rep. Charles Rangel, D-New York, wrote on social media that the firefighter was a battalion chief.
Medics took six uniformed police officers to local hospitals with minor injuries, according to The Associated Press. Mayor Bill de Blasio was at nearby Allen Hospital after the explosion and promised to provide updates later Tuesday.
Firefighters found a suspected drug lab after they were called around 6:30 a.m. to investigate a reported gas leak at a home in the Bronx, WNBC reported. Police were called, but the home exploded before they could investigate.
Photographs from the scene showed bricks, drywall and debris strewn across pavement and over the tops of two vehicles. The innards of the once two-story structure spilled onto the street. The second story of the home appeared to be destroyed.
Authorities went door to door to evacuate neighbors before the blast, a resident who identified himself only as Jorge told WCBS. He said he heard the explosion and "knew right away it was this."
Barbara Nardo, another resident in the neighborhood, told the news station that she was awakened by the sound of the blast.
"I thought maybe it was lightning that hit a car or something," she said.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the explosion.
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