A parked car burst into flames and appeared to explode just steps from the Charging Bull statue in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday evening, sending a thick column of black smoke drifting across the Financial District as stunned onlookers pulled out their phones. City officials said there were no reported injuries.
Crews Raced to Broadway and Stone Street
Police and firefighters rushed to the area of Broadway and Stone Street after reports of a car fire around 5:42 p.m., and crews had the blaze knocked down shortly before 7 p.m., according to ABC7 New York. Video from the scene shows the vehicle parked at the curb before it is quickly swallowed by flames as people on the sidewalk record from a distance. The footage showed the vehicle appearing to be MTA‑affiliated, per the report.
Near the Charging Bull at Bowling Green
The blaze unfolded within sight of the Charging Bull sculpture at Bowling Green, a heavily trafficked tourist magnet at the southern tip of Manhattan. The bronze bull sits just off Broadway in Bowling Green Park and routinely draws sightseers and commuters passing through the Financial District, according to Wikipedia.
Investigation Underway
Officials told ABC7 New York that the cause of the fire remains under investigation and that there were no injuries reported. FDNY and NYPD units stayed on scene as crews checked the surrounding area for any lingering hazards and worked to reopen the roadway.
Scene and Witnesses
Bystander video captured the intensity of the fire and a dramatic flare‑up as people stepped back and kept rolling while smoke poured through the canyons of the Financial District. Authorities have not released any additional details beyond the initial report.
