Vessel Explosion Injures Seven People

An explosion has injured eight people at the Earle Naval Weapons Station in Middletown, N.J. Seven were treated at area hospitals and released, including a civilian firefighter. One sailor stayed to undergo surgery for a broken arm. The Navy hasn't released the victims' names. A spokeswoman says the explosion was accidental and that nearby ammunition and ordnance were not affected. The blast occurred in a boathouse where the victims were doing maintenance on an aluminum utility vessel.