Several injured after explosion in New York

Several injured after explosion in New York
Twenty nine people are being treated for injuries, after a reported explosion in the Chelsea district of New York on Saturday evening, US authorities said.
2 min read
18 September, 2016
The Fire Department said 25 people were being treated for light injuries [AFP]

Police and firefighters rushed to the scene of a possible explosion in New York City on Saturday evening.

The Fire Department said a blast was reported shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday in the city’s West 23rd Street in the Chelsea section of Manhattan.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said there is no reason to think that an explosion in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood had a terrorist connection, but he did call the blast an "intentional act."

The mayor also said there is no specific connection to a pipe bomb explosion in the New Jersey shore town of Seaside Park earlier Saturday at a charity run. There were no injuries in that incident.

Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said a total of 29 people were injured in the Chelsea blast.  One person's injuries were serious and the rest were minor.

Police Commissioner James O'Neill said officers are investigating a possible second explosive device a few blocks away from the explosion at about 8:30 p.m. on West 23rd Street.

City Councilman Corey Johnson, who represents the area, told cable news station New York 1 that FBI and federal Homeland Security officials were on the scene, in addition to New York City police.

Numerous emergency vehicles are in the area, which is a major thoroughfare with many restaurants.

The cause of the explosion is yet to be determined.

The reports of a possible blast comes hours after a pipe bomb exploded in Seaside Park, New Jersey, shortly before thousands of runners participated in a charity 5K race to benefit Marines and sailors.

Agencies contributed to this report.