The intact vertical stabalizer was found back in the bay. It had no sign of explosion.
An airplane cannot fly without yaw stability. It will yaw to one side and enter a spin. The airplane is not built to take cyntrifugal forces of a spin. Parts start to come off the airplane. They are thrown off in different directions. Fuel lines are ripped out and fuel spills.
It probably did have fire and explosions before it hit the ground in pieces.
The friend I mentioned stationed his boat OVER the tail section to mark the spot for the NYPD Harbor G launch. He was there.
If you read my post, the explosion came before the gyrations.
The gyrations came before the break-up.
The break-up came before the downing.