Explosion rocks naval base in New Jersey

Eight people were injured, one of them seriously, after an explosion and fire struck a U.S. Navy ammunitions depot near the New Jersey shore on Tuesday, Navy officials said. Fire trucks, ambulances and a medical emergency helicopter rushed to Naval Weapons Station Earle, located near Colts Neck Township, about 45 miles from Manhattan. The cause of the explosion at a Marine boat repair shop at about 9 a.m. EDT was being investigated. "The damage from the explosion was contained within the boathouse area. Ammunition and ordnance operations at the weapons station were not affected by the accident," the Navy said in a statement. The injured included seven sailors and one civilian, said base spokesman Mike Brady.