Police investigate Times Square blast

An explosive device caused minor damage to an empty military recruiting station in New York’s Times Square early yesterday, shaking guests in hotel rooms high above “the crossroads of the world.”

Police blocked off the area to investigate the explosion, which occurred at about 03h45. No one was injured.The blast left a gaping hole in the front window and shattered a glass door, twisting and blackening its metal frame.”If it is something that’s directed toward American troops then it’s something that’s taken very seriously and is pretty unfortunate,” said Army Captain Charlie Jaquillard, who is the commander of Army recruiting in Manhattan.He said no one was inside the station, where the Marines, Air Force and Navy also recruit.Witnesses staying at a Marriott hotel four blocks away said they could feel the building shake with the blast.”I was up on the 44th floor and I could feel it.It was a big bang,” said Darla Peck, 25, of Portland, Oregon.”It shook the building.I thought it could have been thunder, but I looked down and there was a massive plume of smoke so I knew it was an explosion,” said Terry Leighton, 48, of London, who was staying on the 21st floor of the Marriott.Nampa-APNo one was injured.The blast left a gaping hole in the front window and shattered a glass door, twisting and blackening its metal frame.”If it is something that’s directed toward American troops then it’s something that’s taken very seriously and is pretty unfortunate,” said Army Captain Charlie Jaquillard, who is the commander of Army recruiting in Manhattan.He said no one was inside the station, where the Marines, Air Force and Navy also recruit.Witnesses staying at a Marriott hotel four blocks away said they could feel the building shake with the blast.”I was up on the 44th floor and I could feel it.It was a big bang,” said Darla Peck, 25, of Portland, Oregon.”It shook the building.I thought it could have been thunder, but I looked down and there was a massive plume of smoke so I knew it was an explosion,” said Terry Leighton, 48, of London, who was staying on the 21st floor of the Marriott.Nampa-AP