Updated: Times Square Bomb Scare - Failed Car Bomb Found In New York’s Time Square

The New York Times: The police discovered a car bomb in a smoking Nissan Pathfinder in the heart of Times Square, prompting the evacuation of thousands of tourists and theatergoers from the area on a warm and busy Saturday evening.

There was no explosion.

“It appears to be a car bomb left in a Pathfinder between Seventh and Eighth” Avenues on 45th Street, said Deputy Commissioner Paul J. Browne, the Police Department’s chief spokesman.

The device, he said, contained “explosive elements” that included “propane tanks, some kind of powder, gasoline and a timing device.”

“This is very much an active investigation,” he said. […]

Kevin B. Barry, a former supervisor in the New York Police Department bomb squad, said he was told it was an improvised explosive device. But somehow, he said, the ignition source “failed to function the main charge.”

Mr. Barry said that if it had functioned, “it would be more of an incendiary event” than an explosion. [MORE] 

This is very scary. I have been working events in New York City last week and have to be in the city again tomorrow and Monday. To say I am a little apprehensive is an understatement.   I am not too sure the feds are equally apprehensive; look at this from the same NYT article: 

 A federal official said that domestic security officials had been informed that the event did not appear to be a terrorist threat. The official referred all requests for additional information to New York City police. 

Really? Well what the hell is a car bomb anyway if not terrorism? Allahpundit see similarities with the car bombs after the London subway bombings.  Allahpundit also links to a very useful NYPD presentation that offers information on the telltale signs for car bombs

Atlas Shrugs offers tons of first hand images and updates.


UPDATE: Video added
Hat tip to Left Coast Rebel via Gateway Pundit

I really do not understand why all those people are hanging around. How many terror attacks have we read about where the first device goes off and then after the first responders arrive the second one detonates? Memo to New Yorkers, if this incident should ever happen again, leave the area. You can alway get the details later from the safety of your home. 


UPDATE II: Video from The New York Post

UPDATE III: Heroes identified

NY Daily News: Three heroic cops and a quick-thinking street vendor stopped a madman from detonating a car bomb in the heart of Times Square Saturday night, law enforcement officials told the Daily News.

The T-shirt vendor - a Vietnam vet - told Officer Wayne Rhatigan there was smoke coming from a Nissan SUV on the southwest corner of 45th St. and Broadway about 7 p.m., sources said.

Rhatigan approached the car, saw the smoke, and sprang into action.

"I did a lap around the vehicle. The inside was smoking," Rhatigan told the Daily News Saturday night. "I smelled gunpowder and knew it might blow. I thought it might blow any second."

He grabbed two rookie female cops patrolling the area. Together, they pushed hundreds of people away from the scene as they called for backup, he said. […]

"It looks as if the perp was trying to light it up, and was interrupted by the cops, panicked and took off," a law enforcement source said.

"It looked like someone tried to detonate it and we got to it in time," a police source said. "This is a big deal. It has the makings of a real car bomb." […]

Police said the blue Pathfinder appeared to be stolen and had Connecticut license plates belonging to another car.

The man seen fumbling with the device vanished into the crowd and had not been found as of early this morning. [MORE]

Via: Memeorandum

Via: New York Times

Via: Hot Air

Via: Atlas Shrugs 
Via: New York Post
Via: New York Daily News