An explosion rocked the New York City neighborhood of Chelsea, Saturday night, leaving more than two dozen people injured.
The cause of the blast late on Saturday in Chelsea remains unclear. Mayor Bill de Blasio described it as “intentional” but said that there were no known links to terror.
The force of the blast blew out windows and could be heard several blocks away.
Another device, reportedly a pressure cooker rigged with wires, was later found in the same neighborhood..
The explosion occurred around 9.00 pm on Saturday night.. Witnesses said people ran in all directions following the “incredibly loud” blast.
“The initial indications is this was an intentional act,” Mr de Blasio said.
But he added: “We also want to be upfront saying that there is no evidence at this point of a terror connection to this incident.”
Still, law enforcement sources told CBS News the Joint Terrorism Task Force is ramping up operations in New York.
Law enforcement officials said that the device found at the second Chelsea location appeared to be a pressure cooker attached to wiring and a mobile phone. Police said it had been removed safely.
Twenty-nine people were hurt in the explosion, including one considered seriously injured, officials said.
“This is a very dense area, the whole block is restaurants and residences and this area on a warm Saturday night is an area swarming with people,” New York City Councilman Cory Johnson stated.
Johnson, who represents the area, said that FBI and federal Homeland Security officials were on the scene, in addition to New York City police.
The NYPD investigated a possible second device, confirmed to be a pressure cooker, on 27th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues. A bomb disposal robot was deployed at the scene and the device was safely removed for further analysis, police said.
Police investigated a third suspicious package on 28th Street and 5th Ave., but it turned out to be nothing dangerous.
Meanwhile, law enforcement was already reviewing surveillance video of the area where the explosion occurred looking for clues, CBS station WCBS reported.
Manhattan: West 23 St & 7th Ave, moment of the explosion that went off on Street. Video by @RussellBlaymore pic.twitter.com/zpsxq2Y9MG
— NYC Scanner (@NYScanner) September 18, 2016