MTA Car Explodes Near Charging Bull

An MTA-affiliated vehicle caught fire and exploded near the Charging Bull statue in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday evening, sending thick black smoke over the Financial District and drawing police and firefighters to Broadway and Stone Street. FDNY said crews responded at about 5:42 p.m., during the evening rush, and brought the fire under control shortly before 7 p.m. No injuries were reported, according to fire officials. Videos circulating online showed the vehicle burning at the curb before a fireball erupted and bystanders ran from the area. ### Where, exactly, did the fire break out? Broadway and Stone Street was the location given by FDNY, placing the fire a short walk from the Charging Bull statue and the MTA’s headquarters at 2 Broadway. ABC7 New York reported the blast happened in Lower Manhattan near the tourist landmark, where office workers and visitors were still in the area at the end of the workday. (abc7ny.com) Lower Manhattan was crowded at the time, and footage from the scene showed pedestrians backing away as flames spread through the vehicle. Several reports based on witness video said the smoke rose above surrounding buildings in the Wall Street area. ### What do officials say happened before the explosion? FDNY said police and firefighters were called for a car fire at about 5:42 p.m. near Broadway and Stone Street. (abc7ny.com) ABC7 New York reported the vehicle was already burning on the side of the road before the explosion occurred. Videos published by news outlets showed onlookers filming the fire as emergency crews were still en route. The footage then captured the vehicle erupting into a larger blast, followed by people moving quickly away from the curb. (mediaite.com) ### Was it confirmed to be an MTA vehicle? ABC7 New York reported the car appeared to be MTA-affiliated in video from the scene. Other follow-up reports said the Metropolitan Transportation Authority later confirmed the burned vehicle belonged to the agency, while referring questions about the cause to fire investigators. (fox5ny.com) The MTA had not posted a public press release about the incident on its main press page in the results reviewed for this report. (nypost.com) Public reporting on the vehicle’s ownership has so far relied on statements relayed through local and follow-up news accounts. ### Were there injuries or evacuations? FDNY said no injuries were reported. ABC7 New York also reported that firefighters extinguished the flames shortly before 7 p.m., ending a response that lasted more than an hour after the initial call. (abc7ny.com) Witness video showed people running from the area immediately after the blast, but the available reports reviewed did not identify any formal evacuation order or road-closure timeline. (mta.info) News accounts described the reaction as panic among bystanders near the statue and surrounding blocks. ### What is still unknown? The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to FDNY and local news reports. (abc7ny.com) Officials have not publicly identified a mechanical failure, collision, or other trigger in the reporting reviewed so far. The investigation’s next public step is likely to come from FDNY or city officials if they determine how the blaze started or whether the MTA vehicle will require a separate agency review. (cnn.com) As of Thursday, May 21, 2026, the confirmed facts remained the location, the response time, the lack of injuries and the open investigation. (abc7ny.com)