Six men are wanted for smashing a West Village smoke shop’s window and apparently throwing an incendiary device inside, sparking an explosion, before taking off early Wednesday, according to police.
No one was hurt in the 3:15 a.m. incident on Christopher Street.
The NYPD says the initial call came in regarding an explosion.
Surveillance video shows a half-dozen men at the scene, and they throw something through the front window of the shop that explodes and causes a fire, authorities say.
Investigators are working to determine the nature of the incendiary object. Glass and debris were left scattered on the sidewalk in front of several neighboring businesses, including a barbershop and a pizza place.
Though there were no reported injuries, multiple people said they were jolted awake by the blast.
“It was a very quick, fast explosion,” said Nathan Cortese, who lives in the area.
He thought it might be a gas leak at first, and says he hadn’t heard a sound like that in the city before.
“I’m a very heavy sleeper. I face the back of the courtyard, so I’m never woken up,” Cortese said. “This is very shocking.”
No other details were provided. Police haven’t released descriptions of any potential suspects.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.