Minor explosion in NY's Times Square

Police officers at the scene of this morning's explosion in New York

Police officers at the scene of this morning's explosion in New York

An explosive device caused minor damage to an empty military recruiting station in Times Square, New York, this morning.

NY1 television said a small bomb or incendiary device was thrown at the one-story building around 8.45am Irish time, causing a small break in one of the windows.

There was also minor damage caused to the building's door.

A witness said he heard an explosion and saw a plume of red smoke shoot up and then turn black. He said he saw three or four people running away.

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Police closed off traffic in the streets around the busy tourist area between 42nd Street and 44th Street, and said a bomb squad searching the area. Subway trains are bypassing the busy Times Square subway station.

The building sits in a traffic island between Broadway and Seventh Avenue in Times Square, sometimes called the crossroads of the world.