Explosion Reported In New York City’s Chelsea Neighborhood
Several people are being treated for injuries.
An explosion has been reported on W. 23rd Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City. According to various reports, the explosion, which appears to have originated in a nearby dumpster, occurred shortly before 9 p.m. on Saturday night and blew out the lower windows of a neighboring building. Several people are being treated for injuries with no fatalities reported at this time while the New York City police department has cordoned off a two block area near the incident site.
Reporters at the New York Times, New York Post, and Pix 11 are following the situation closely. This is a developing story and we will update as more information becomes available.
Update: According to a tweet from the FDNY, 25 civilian injuries have been confirmed with no report of fatalities.
25 injuries to civilians confirmed at 133 W 23 St #Chelsea. None appear to be life-threatening at this time
— FDNY (@FDNY) September 18, 2016
Update 2: According to a tweet from the NYPD's Special Ops team, a "possible secondary device" has been discovered four blocks north of the site of the first explosion.
A possible secondary device has been located @ 27th Street, 6th - 7th Avenues. #NYPD nvestigations are ongoing. Avoid the area @NYPD13Pct
— NYPD Special Ops (@NYPDSpecialops) September 18, 2016
Update 3: At a press conference held in Manhattan tonight, NYPD Police Commissioner James O'Neill told reporters there have been 29 injuries with 1 person suffering possibly serious injuries. Meanwhile, no terrorism connection has been made, though the site is being treated as a crime scene and the incident was described by New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio as "an intentional act." As a result, a large swath of streets in the surrounding area have been closed to traffic while NYPD officers sweep for any additional threats.
Updates on Chelsea explosion:
— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 18, 2016
- FDNY: 29 injuries, 1 serious
- Mayor: Explosion appeared to be "intentional act" https://t.co/voh7Ue99B6