NYPD officers hit by explosion

The suspect, who was armed with a knife and had reportedly tampered with a gas line, died in the rubble of the home.

Despite their injuries, the responding officers have been hailed as heroes for their immediate actions to evacuate the building's other occupants.

The blast was so powerful it damaged several neighboring properties and was felt blocks away.

Investigators are currently reviewing the sequence of events to determine how the suspect triggered the massive explosion during the police confrontation.