Police officers hailed as heroes after New York house explosion
The New York Police Department hailed as heroes multiple officers who responded to a domestic incident call that turned into a house explosion.
"This was yet another example of the valor and the courage of your NYPD cops, who, again, put the safety of complete strangers above their own," NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said in a press conference Thursday.
The explosion, which was caught on police bodycam video early Thursday, occurred after officers arrived at an Ozone Park, Queens, home. They were responding to a 911 call from a woman who said her estranged husband forced his way into the home, according to police. He was allegedly intoxicated and armed with a knife.
"They said he threatened them with a knife and was carrying two garbage bags containing yellow canisters with contents unknown," Tisch said.
As officers approached the house, they said they noticed a gas odor. Then, after they walked into the home, there was a sudden, fiery explosion, which knocked the officers to the ground.
Officers then rushed back up and raced to rescue anyone inside. They can be seen in the body cam footage carrying a child out to safety.
The body of a suspect was later found under the rubble, the NYPD said.
Seven officers were treated for injuries, including minor burns and lacerations, at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, according to police. Several other people nearby were also transported to a hospital with minor injuries, officials said.
The officers have since been released and are expected to be OK, the NYPD said.
Police noted that the cause of the house explosion is still under investigation.
