A powerful dynamite explosion ripped through New York;s Central police headquarters on Tuesday night (9 June) wrecking part of the second floor but injuring only five people. The injured, three policemen and two civilians, were reported to have been only slightly hurt.

Police described the device as a "sophisticated bomb" with a time mechanism. The blast, which caused about 100,000 dollars U.S. (GBP40,000 sterling) damage to the building was in a men's room on the second floor near where high-ranking police and administrative officials have their offices.

Windows were blown out and walls inside the building shattered. Nearby shop fronts were smashed and there was minor damage to apartment buildings in the immediate vicinity.

Mayor John Lindsay went to the scene and described it as disgraceful that such a thing could happen in New York.

William Tow was in his car parked outside the building when the explosion occurred. He described what happened: