A powerful explosion rocked the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan on Saturday night, injuring 25 people, shattering windows and forcing the closure of several blocks, the authorities said.
None of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening, the Fire Department said on Twitter.
The explosion was reported around 8:30 p.m. at 133 West 23rd Street, near the Avenue of the Americas, the department said, adding that there was a report that it emanated from a Dumpster.
The authorities were unsure of the cause of the explosion and were exploring various possibilities.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said at an 11:15 p.m. news conference that the explosion appeared to have been “an intentional act” but that there was no evidence that terrorism had been involved, although the investigation was continuing. The blast shattered windows in a five-story brownstone building and sent debris into the street, a law enforcement official said. The building is between a church on its eastern side and an apartment building under renovation on its western side.
As a precaution, the police and fire personnel were searching trash cans for possible explosive devices, officials said. At 11 p.m., the police said onTwitter that a “possible secondary device” had been found at 27th Street between Avenue of the Americas and Seventh Avenue.
Source: http://www.nytimes.com
