2 indicted in Bronx blast that killed FDNY battalion chief

A grand jury indicted two New York City men Wednesday on charges of starting a marijuana grow house fire last month that killed a battalion chief of the New York City Fire Department, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark announced.

Garivaldi Castillo, 32, of Manhattan, and Julio Salcedo, 34, of the Bronx, were indicted on charges of first-degree and second-degree assault and first-degree criminal possession of marijuana in relation to the Sept. 27th explosion that killed FDNY Battalion Chief Michael Fahy, Clark said in a statement. Each man could face up to 25 years in prison.

Fahy was among other first responders who rushed to the scene of a reported gas leak in the Bronx on Sept. 27th when debris from a subsequent explosion struck and killed him.

"Chief Fahy responded to a building that turned out to be a time bomb," Clark said. "These defendants allegedly were growing marijuana and kept flammable substances on the premises. Chief Fahy ordered residents out of the building -- including one of the defendants -- and saved their lives. He was mortally injured when the force of the explosion blew off the slate roof and it struck him."

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. expressed sadness over Fahy's death.

"Chief Fahy's passing was a true tragedy, and we continue to mourn his loss," Diaz said in an e-mail. "It is my hope that these indictments will lead to future justice for our city, and bring his family some measure of peace in their time of mourning."

When firefighters responded to the scene, they found marijuana plants, heaters, fertilizer and tanks of helium.

"While chiefs are leaders, first and foremost, they are firefighters – it’s their job to make and keep everyone safe," FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro said at Fahy's Oct. 1 funeral. "That’s what Michael was doing on Tuesday morning, overseeing an emergency where his primary goal was to keep civilians safe; and to keep his firefighters safe. He did that. He did it well, and as we know no one else was seriously hurt despite the terrible explosion that occurred. He put himself in harm's way so that others would be protected.”

Firefighter Richard Ruebenacker was injured during the incident.