8 injured in blast at US naval station

At least eight people were injured today in an explosion at a naval station in New Jersey, the US Navy said.
The blast is reported to have occurred when workers were performing maintenance on a vessel at the Naval Weapons Station at Earl in New Jersey.
"The situation is stabilised. We are investigating the accident," navy spokesman Mike Brady said.
The cause of the incident was not immediately known.
The injured were taken to a local hospital for treatment and one of them was said to be in a serious condition.
Several others were treated for minor injuries, mostly for smoke inhalation.

"The damage from the explosion was contained within the boathouse area," a navy statement said, adding that the ammunition and ordnance operations at the weapons station were not affected by the accident.
Naval Weapons Station Earle provides ordnance for Atlantic Fleet Carrier and Expeditionary Strike Groups, and supports strategic Department of Defense ordnance requirements.