Two explosions were heard near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday, witnesses told NBC News.
Will Ritter, the spokesman for a Massachusetts Senate candidate, said that he heard what sounded like two explosions and saw smoke rising near the Boston Public Library. He said that he saw three fire engines and police running to the site.
Ritter said that people hit the ground.
Janet Wu, a reporter for NBC affiliate WHDH, told NBC News that she heard two loud explosions.
Boston police confirmed there was an incident but did not immediately give details. Police, fire and medical technicians were responding. New England Cable News reported that the emergency response came within seconds.
Federal authorities told NBC News that they had no immediate information.
FOX
DEVELOPING: The Boston Marathon headquarters has been locked down after two explosions were reported near the finish line, a spokesman told Reuters.
Witnesses reportedly heard two booms near the finish line inside the Fairmount Copley Plaza Hotel that sounded like two claps of thunder.
The Associated Press says there are reports of injuries.
WTF guy in the middle of the shot in the pinkish t-shirt hunches slightly when the blast occurs but carries on running without even looking back at it.
WTF guy in the middle of the shot in the pinkish t-shirt hunches slightly when the blast occurs but carries on running without even looking back at it.