A New York fire department battalion chief had been killed in an explosion early on Tuesday morning while checking a gas leak at an alleged drug lab operating out of a home in the Bronx.

Firefighters had been called to the 300 block of W. 234 St. in the Bronx on a report of a gas leak. DNAinfo reported that FDNY crew found what appeared to be a marijuana grow with propane tanks.

As firefighters and police had been investigating, police told that the house exploded and Battalion Chief Michael Fahey was struck by debris while he was evacuating the home.

According to ABC7NY and the Associated Press, he later died at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Allen Pavilion .

Officials informed DNAinfo that Five NYPD police officers had also been injured in the explosion, and were treated for minor injuries at North Central Bronx hospital .

By Prakriti Neogi