NYC's Times Square Evacuated in Bomb Scare

SUV Was on Fire in Tourist Area; Bomb Squad Called InMore

The incident in New York City's Times Square that began with a suspicious vehicle appears to have developed into a real threat from a fire bomb, according to police.

Part of New York City's Times Square area was evacuated Saturday, May 1, after a suspicious vehicle was found there on fire.

(Getty Images)

The incident began around 6:35 p.m., when the Fire Department of New Yorkresponded to a car fire in the vicinity of 45th Street and 7th Avenue, and because of suspicious characteristics of the vehicle, the police department ESU was notified.

The car was identified as a Nissan Pathfinder with a Connecticut or unmatched license plate.

Bomb techs from the FBI's New York office were on scene with the NYPD Bomb Squad to aid in the investigation.

Inside the SUV, investigators found three propane cylinders, two five-gallon jerry cans of gasoline, a canister of powder, electrical components and an alarm clock.

Though police on the scene said the motive for the suspected attempted fire bombing was unknown, but they described the incident as "the real deal."

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After the fire in the vehicle was reported at around 6:35 p.m., police closed off an area in Times Square near 44th Street and 7th Avenue.

A short time later, the immediate area around 45th and Broadway was evacuated, including some theaters on 45th Street, while in at least one theater audience members inside were not allowed to leave.

Other theaters delayed opening as Broadway from 44th to 47th Streets was closed.

 

In at least one theater, audience members were not allowed to leave while the investigation continued.

Shortly after 7:00 o'clock, witnesses told WABC-TV they heard an explosion, then saw smoke coming from the car.

"It was a boom and a puff of smoke," one man said.

"I saw people running, turning tables," Paula Delarrosa said.

The NYPD quickly blocked off 44th through 48th Street and sent in the robot from the bomb squad to check for explosives.

A live Web cam feed at 46th Street and Broadway showed the streets had been cleared of pedestrians. A line of police cars blocked one street and officers paced on a sidewalk.

The NYPD Bomb Squad was called and blew out the vehicles windows in order to investigate. The noise could be heard for a couple of blocks from the scene