A large explosion in the Bronx triggered by a possible gas leak left a FDNY captain dead, 20 others injured, and a neighborhood covered in smoke.
Firefighters were called to a home on W. 234th St. near Irwin Ave. on Sept. 27 after receiving a report about a gas leak at around 6:22 a.m. local time, officials said. Once inside, they discovered an illegal drug laboratory and contacted police.
The two-story private dwelling exploded shortly after firefighters arrived at around 7:30 a.m.—before police officers were able to investigate the alleged drug den.
Two weeks ago, investigators had received information about a possible marijuana grow house at the residence and were in the earlier stages of an investigation, said NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill.
Battalion Chief Michael Fahy was directing operations from the street when he was struck by flying debris, said Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro. He was rushed to New York Presbyterian/Allen Hospital, where he died.
“It’s a terrible loss for the Fahy family,” Nigro, who knew Fahy’s father, also a fire chief, told reporters at the hospital. “It’s a loss for the fire department family. We are a family. We feel it deeply. We feel it deeply today.”
Mayor De Blasio echoed the sentiment.
“It’s a very sad day for our city,” said the mayor. “We had a tragedy today.”
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