NY Public Library Evacuated, Bomb Squad Called For Midtown Trash Fire

MIDTOWN, NY — An investigation into a suspicious trash can fire forced the New York Public Library's iconic 42nd Street main branch to evacuate and has shut down traffic on Fifth Avenue in Midtown for a police investigation, according to library and police officials.

The NYPD bomb squad was called to investigate a suspicious package found at the scene, but determined it was not a threat, a police spokesperson said.

An official from the New York Public Library told Patch that workers and patrons were evacuated by the NYPD as a precaution after a trash can fire was discovered on 41st Street and Fifth Avenue.

At about 11:20 a.m. on Thursday, police announced that all traffic on Fifth Avenue between 39th and 42nd streets was closed due to an investigation.

The library re-opened at about 12:30 p.m., but the Fifth Avenue entrance remains closed due to the investigation, according to a library spokesperson.

Images from social media show police and fire officials in a cordoned-off area in front of the historic library.

According to CBS News, multiple trash cans were set on fire at about 9:45 a.m., but police officials could not officially confirm how many trash cans were on fire.

Police told Patch that the cause was a suspicious trash can fire, which has since been put out by FDNY. Officials had no further details to immediately offer.