BRONX, New York — Authorities have identified a New York City firefighter killed in a house explosion as a Bronx battalion chief.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro say Michael Fahey, a 17 year veteran, was a father of three.
He was struck by debris from the Tuesday morning collapse and rushed to the hospital, but could not be saved. Police say six officers were taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
Authorities say they were responding to a report of a gas leak when the residence exploded shortly after firefighters discovered a possible drug lab there.
The explosion rocked an area of row houses in the Kingsbridge neighborhood.
Images from the scene showed much of the house gone and debris strewn on the street and covering parked cars. Parts of the first floor with hollowed-out window panes could be made out.
