Eight people were injured in an explosion at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Middletown. 

Boathouse where explosion occured at Earle Naval Weapons Station
Boathouse where explosion occurred at Earle Naval Weapons Station (WABC TV via Twitter)
loading...

The US Navy says the explosion around 9 a.m. took place while personnel were doing routine maintenance on a 27-foot aluminum utility boat in a boathouse on the base.The boat is used to support port operations at the installation.

The explosion put a hole in the roof of the boathouse.

The workers suffered minor injuries, mostly smoke inhalation and were hospitalized and released. The most serious injury was a sailor who suffered a broken arm. The Navy is not identifying the injured workers. There are no reports of fatalities.

Numerous fire trucks and ambulances both civilian and military initially responded to the explosion as did a medical helicopter.

Ammunition and ordnance operations at the weapons station were not affected by the accident says the Navy in a statement.

The Navy is now investigating the incident.

Naval Weapons Station Earle provides all ordnance for all Atlantic Fleet Carrier and Expeditionary Strike Groups, and supports strategic Department of Defense ordnance requirements. according to a statement. The Station employs1,500 including civilian and military workers and has a pier that extends 2.5 miles into Raritan Bay.



More From New Jersey 101.5 FM