A shocking accident caught on camera when a vehicle burst into flames and exploded near the famous Charging Bull statue in Lower Manhattan on May 19. It triggered panic among tourists and office workers in the busy Wall Street area. The horrific incident happened near Broadway and Stone Street around 5:42 p.m., as per the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). The dramatic videos circulating online showed a scary thick black smoke suddenly rising into the sky as the car was rapidly engulfed in flames before exploding into a massive fireball.
What really Happened?
The Eyewitness videos that are circulating in social meda showed the vehicle parked along the roadside moments before flames suddenly spread across the car. Suddenly, within some minutes, the fire intensified by creating a loud explosion that shocked people gathered near the tourist hotspot.
Watch the video here:
A vehicle caught fire and subsequently exploded near the iconic Charging Bull statue in New York City’s Wall Street district pic.twitter.com/HmGaZ8J7Pv
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) May 20, 2026
Vehicle reportedly appeared to be affiliated with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). However, officials have not confirmed more details about the ownership.
From the visuals, tourists and pedestrians standing near the iconic Charging Bull statue were seen rushing away from the shocking scene as smoke filled the area.
Soon after the fire accident, firefighters from the FDNY quickly reached the location after receiving emergency calls about the fire. Emergency responders worked for more than an hour to control the fire and secure the surrounding streets.
The authorities said the flames were fully extinguished shortly before 7 p.m. Police also temporarily restricted movement in parts of the financial district to ensure public safety.
Officials confirmed that no injuries or fatalities were reported in the incident. Despite the intensity of fire explosion, emergency teams managed to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby vehicles or buildings.
Even after the trauma caused by the fire accident, the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. Officials have not ruled out mechanical failure or other possible reasons behind the sudden blaze.
