Times Square Update: Police Issue All Clear on "Suspicious Package;" Just Water Bottles

Times Square has just been given the "all clear" by the NYPD after the streets in the surrounding area had been been evacuated due to a suspicious cooler that was left in front of 1535 Broadway at the Marriott Marquee hotel between 45th and 46th Streets and Broadway. Once reported, police immediately evacuated the area to investigate. Ambulence and the FDNY rushed to the scene as a precaution, fearing a bomb was inside. An eye witness described the scene in Times Square as "quiet" and "eerie."

HazMat officials inspected the contents of the cooler and found water bottles inside.  Traffic in Times square, both pedestrian and vehicular, has resumed as normal.

This news comes after last week's car bomb scare just one block away from the Marquis hotel. The suspect in that case was arrested at JFK last week.

Potential show closings or delays are not expected, but BroadwayWorld will be providing continual updates throughout the day so be sure to check back.