Cops ID Man Who Died in Port Washington Home Explosion

Photo: Mike MacNeill/Facebook

Police have identified the victim who died in an explosion at a Port Washington home last week.

Michael MacNeill, 48, of Port Washington, was identified by a medical examiner using DNA, according to Nassau County Police.

Initial speculation pointed to MacNeill as the victim in the Aug. 6 explosion. Neighbors told 1010WINS he was married to the woman who fled the home with their two-year-old daughter just before the garage burst into flames.

MacNeill was in the garage when it exploded, according to police.

Authorities have said the fire may have been deliberate.

“It looks like there were flammable liquids involved,” Brian Waterson, Port Washington Fire Department’s assistant chief told the New York Post.

A photo on Mike MacNeill’s Facebook page shows the trunk of a car containing propane tanks and red gas cans.

The caption from December 2013, reads: “If you’re gonna go out with a bang, might as well do it right with 25 gallons of gas and 40lbs of propane.”

Police had already responded to the home after a 911 call about a domestic dispute, reported Newsday.

Responding officers were met by MacNeill’s 39-year-old wife, who said there was a strong smell of gasoline in her home, cops said. Moments later, the detached garage exploded into an enormous fire, cops said.

Four firefighters and one Port Washington Police officer sustained minor injuriesin the blaze, police said.