A suspect in a New York City house explosion that killed a fire battalion chief has waived extradition from New Jersey.

Julio Salcedo Contrer appeared in court in Hackensack on Thursday.

The 34-year-old was arrested in Cliffside Park on a fugitive warrant on Tuesday. He was wanted for questioning in the blast that killed Chief Michael Fahy.

Authorities are looking into whether the building in the Bronx was used to grow marijuana.

Garivaldi Castillo of Manhattan has been arrested on criminal possession of marijuana charges. His lawyer has questioned the evidence linking him to the house.

(AP)