Incendiary device sparks fire outside New York immigration court, suspect held

Newyork,UPDATED: Jul 20, 2026 23:18 IST

A person used an "incendiary device" outside a New York building that houses an immigration court and other federal offices on Monday morning, and was taken into custody at the scene, the FBI said. The incident led to smoke and flames outside 26 Federal Plaza, which is being investigated by the FBI's New York Joint Terrorism Task Force.

One person was taken to hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, according to the New York Fire Department. The building has been a focal point for demonstrations against the immigration policies of President Donald Trump's administration.

According to preliminary information gathered by law enforcement, the person in custody was carrying anti-ICE material, a person familiar with the matter said. The person was not authorised to discuss the ongoing investigation by name, and the suspect's identity has not been released.

The fire department said it received a call at about 8.30 am, with initial reports indicating an outdoor fire. The Lower Manhattan building houses several government offices, including the New York office of the FBI, as well as the immigration court where agents have carried out chaotic and sometimes violent arrests in the hallway as migrants leave hearings.

"What occurred outside 26 Federal Plaza this morning was deeply disturbing," New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said on social media. "I'm relieved no one was seriously injured and that a suspect is in custody." Mamdani said his team was in touch with police and would support the federal investigation.

Videos and photos from the scene showed a fire and a plume of smoke on the pavement outside the building, along with officers restraining a person and taking them away. The incident remains under investigation after the fire outside the federal building and the arrest of the suspect at the scene.

With PTI Inputs

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