Suspicious Package Briefly Closes Streets Near Times Square

TIMES SQUARE — A suspicious package forced police and firefighters to close off a tourist-heavy stretch of Eighth Avenue between West 46th and West 48th Street for an hour on Tuesday afternoon.

Police were investigating a suitcase left next to a red Jeep parked in front of a fire house on Eighth Avenue, a police officer at the scene said.

Firefighters responded to the call at 3:45 p.m., FDNY officials said.

An hour later, the police confirmed it was a false alarm and reopened the streets.