Time Square Explosion - Police and Homeland Security Investigating

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Earlier this morning a small bomb was thrown into the window of a military recruiting center in Times Square. Police have blocked off the area, but subway service has been restored - with delays.



Details are still sketchy but here's what we know so far. The building, a military recruiting center is on a traffic island between Broadway and Seventh Avenue in Times Square - an area often referred to as the crossroads of the world. A busy tourist area, it's also been the site of many anti-war demonstrations.

A glass entryway was shattered, but no injuries have been reported. The bomb squad and police force have closed off streets in the area between 42nd Street and 44th Street while they continue searching the area.

More than a dozen subway lines were initially affected: the A, C, E, N, Q, R, W, S and Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 7. All run through Times Square. Subway service on those lines, as well as Nos. 4, 5 and 6 lines (these run through Grand Central Terminal) were suspended at 4:24 a.m., but most lines have been restored.

Reuters reported that the Department of Homeland Security is monitoring and investigating the situation and said it's too early to speculate whether the incident is terrorism related.

In 1999, the recruiting station underwent renovations to better blend into the glitzy ambience of Times Square, employing neon tubing and a glass/steel front with a patriotic American flag motif. The center averages approx. 10,000 volunteers a year, setting national records for enlistment, according to the Associated Press.