NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (AP) -- A dynamite explosion at an excavation site blasted hundreds of rocks as big as beach balls across a street, breaking windows and damaging new cars at a dealership. Five people sustained minor injuries.
The explosion was ``like a gunshot of rocks across the street,'' Phil Saporito, plant manager at the Hyundai dealership, said, standing outside a showroom filled with cracked glass and dented cars. At least 40 cars were damaged.
Main Street had been closed to traffic before the blast at a site being readied for stores.
A heavy, rubber mat that was being used to contain the blast failed. ``One end of the mat lifted up,'' Fire Chief Frank Strollo said. ``It definitely wasn't enough coverage.''
The operating permit of Hayduk Enterprises, the Dalton, Pa.-based company that was responsible for the blast, was suspended pending an investigation.
Owner Ray Hayduk Jr. said the blast area wasn't solid rock. ``That's why it came out so fast. There was a natural seam in the rock, and we drilled right into it,'' he said.
