Bombing at New York Armed Services Recruiting Center

New York City police officers and firefighters cordoned off much of Times Square for more than two hours after a small explosion — apparently set off by a manmade device — damaged the front of the Armed Forces Career Center on the traffic island bounded by 43rd and 44th Streets, Seventh Avenue and Broadway around 4 a.m., officials said.

No one was injured, and after a temporary interruption, subway service was restored. Most traffic around Times Square was allowed to pass by 6:45 a.m., after vehicles had been diverted for more than two hours.

City officials confirmed that police had initially blocked off the area as a precaution to ensure that there was no secondary device or other threat; the officials emphasized that they did not believe anyone was in danger.

Police officers at the scene said the explosion — which they attributed to an “improvised explosive device” — blew a hole through the front door of the recruiting station, which is at the northern end of the structure.