Brooklyn, NY +Explosion And Fire+

Brooklyn, NY +Explosion And Fire While Installing A Mikvah With Out A Permit+ Hatzolah requested and ALS on a rush to 1166 East 31st Street between Avenue's "K" and "L" Fire department Rescue and Squad also responding for this fire which is in the rear in the basement of this 3 story frame 30x60 private dwelling.

U/D: 11:53
Fire is D/W/H, one 10-45 Code-1 (DOA) and three 10-45 Code 3's (Critical Burns) reported transported by Hatzolah to local hospital. Hatzolah sending more units to the scene.

U?D: 12:13
Fire is P/W/H, Fire Department requesting Fire marshal to the scene.

U/D: 12:33
Fire is K/D, requesting Building Department to check the structure of the house, due to the bldg. being blown out.

U/D: 12:46
NYPD from the 70th Pct are calling for a level one mobilization for the large crowd at the fatal fire scene.

U/D: 13:21
Hazmat-1 has been requested to assist with the Fire Marshal, Esu to respond to secure the wall and the Bomo Squad was also notified.

U/D:
The two people killed were construction workers , and they were attempting to waterproof a basement to install a Mikvah (a Jewish ritual bath). and the explosian was caused by using a type of epoxy sealant that apparently was flammable, when one of the workers turned on a power tool, it caused the explosion, which blew out a wall on the first floor of the house.

The victims' names were not immediately released. The two who survived the explosion, were hospitalized with burns on about 85 percent of their bodies.
City officials said the homeowners did not have a permit to install the mikvah, which is used by Orthodox Jews in a purification ritual.

Five firefighters suffered minor injuries in battling the resulting blaze.