Boston police

Commissioner Evans: Someone ‘Deliberately' Tried to Set Cruiser on Fire

No one was injured

The search is on for the person who left a propane tank next to a police cruiser in South Boston in an attempt to blow it up.

"Clearly this was a deliberate attack with the intent of blowing up one of our cruisers," Boston Police Commissioner William Evans said.

The initial call came in at 8:22 a.m. for a cruiser on fire on West Broadway.

Evans said an officer driving by noticed a fire between the cruiser and a bridge and immediately got out to move the cruiser. A propane tank was found underneath the car.

"As soon as they pulled the cruiser out, it exploded, and there are several pieces of the propane tank across the street."

People in the area - some several blocks away - said they heard two explosions. Evans said the first explosion is what likely caused the initial fire, and the second was when the tank fully combusted.

No one was injured.

Bomb squad and arson investigators were called in. The FBI is also involved in the investigation.

Boston police said they hope to have a description of the suspect to release soon.

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