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July 20 (UPI) — A man was taken into custody on Monday morning after allegedly setting off fireworks outside of a federal building in Lower Manhattan.
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The incident occurred at 26 Federal Plaza. Two people were treated for injuries at the scene.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations said in a statement that an “incendiary device” was set off outside the building. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the incident.
The federal building has FBI and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices inside.
Authorities rushed to the front of the building after hearing the sound of an explosion.
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When authorities confronted the suspect, they allegedly had two airsoft rifles on them. Airsoft rifles are generally non-lethal pellet guns that fire plastic spheres using springs and canisters of compressed air.
The suspect was also wearing a helmet.
The suspect poured liquid on the fireworks, possibly an accelerant, before lighting them, causing a fire.
There are conflicting reports about the fire, with CNBC reporting that it was started in a shopping cart and CBS News reporting that fireworks were set off in a garbage can.
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This story was originally published July 20, 2026 at 8:43 AM.