Pedestrians could be seen running in all directions as a vehicle caught fire, then exploded during rush hour on Tuesday evening, just a block away from New York City’s famous Charging Bull statue.
Several videos caught the wild blaze as it quickly engulfed the car — which appeared to be affiliated with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) — and the ensuing explosion that sent onlookers scattering to get away from the billowing smoke.
“Dramatic moment car explodes in huge fireball near Wall Street’s iconic Charging Bull statue,” The New York Post captioned a video shared via X.
Dramatic moment car explodes in huge fireball near Wall Street’s iconic Charging Bull statue https://t.co/mkhlN6eZjq pic.twitter.com/3c01DpqX9G
— New York Post (@nypost) May 20, 2026
Several other videos shared across X showed the blaze from different angles.
Story here 👉️ https://t.co/iAyKRfJO1I A car caught fire and exploded Tuesday evening in Lower Manhattan, sending thick black smoke into the air near the Charging Bull. Videos from the scene show the car, which appeared to be MTA-affiliated, parked on the side of the road before… pic.twitter.com/bGVe9JRg3l
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) May 20, 2026
The vehicle initially caught fire while parked outside the MTA’s headquarters on Broadway near Stone Street. The New York City Police and Fire Departments responded to reports about a car on fire at 5:42 p.m., according to local reporting, and firefighters reportedly extinguished the flames by around 7 p.m.
No injuries were reported despite the magnitude of the blast, and city officials are investigating the cause of the fire.
The New York Post confirmed that the vehicle did belong to the MTA, but said that all questions about the ongoing investigation should be directed to the FDNY.
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