Pictured: Emergency service personnel work at the scene of a house explosion in the Bronx borough of New York on September 27, 2016. The explosion that destroyed a New York City house and killed a firefighter has drawn attention to marijuana-making methods that are legal in some states, but can also be lethal. (Mary Altaffer, The Associated Press)

2 men charged in connection with marijuana grow explosion that killed New York fire chief

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NEW YORK — Prosecutors say two men have been indicted on assault charges in connection with an explosion at a marijuana grow house in the Bronx that killed a fire battalion chief.

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Thirty-two-year-old Garivaldi Castillo, of Manhattan, and 34-year-old Julio Salcedo, of the Bronx, were arraigned Wednesday. They also were charged with marijuana possession.

Castillo’s attorney says his client didn’t cause the explosion. A message left with Salcedo’s attorney wasn’t immediately returned.

Seventeen-year fire department veteran Michael Fahy died in late September after being hit by debris from the explosion while responding to a report of a gas leak at the house.

Authorities say the two men were growing marijuana. They say investigators at the scene found numerous marijuana plants, as well as heaters, fertilizers, and tanks of helium.