Rainbow Bridge explosion: Video shows airborne car before it exploded into flames at US-Canada border

• An explosion occurred on the Rainbow Bridge connecting the US and Canada at Niagara Falls just before midday on Wednesday
• The vehicle - which burst into flames by a checkpoint - was attempting to come into the US from Canada
• Two people inside the car have died. One border patrol officer was injured
• The FBI Terrorism Task Force is investigating and are at the scene
• President Joe Biden has been briefed on the incident, the White House says
• New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says there is no indication of terrorism
• There will be a heavier police presence throughout the city of Toronto following the incident
• Sen. Chuck Schumer says the FBI believe they have the driver's identity

Senator Chuck Schumer was briefed a second time by the FBI.

He says the agency has confirmed that there is no reason to believe the explosion was an act of terrorism and adds they 'believe they have the identity of the driver.'

Toronto Police announced that they will be increasing directed patrols of uniformed officers throughout the city. They stress that there are 'no known threats' for Toronto.

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol announced the reopening of three other crossings in Buffalo that were closed 'out of abundance of caution.'

New video shows the moments a white car went airborne before colliding with a station at the Rainbow Bridge.

Here is the footage shortly before the explosion:

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is providing an update on the explosion at the Rainbow Bridge today.

She said there is no sign of terrorism in the explosion, but that the investigation remains ongoing.

Senator Chuck Schumer said on Wednesday: 'I was just briefed by the FBI on the incident at Rainbow Bridge.

'Initial reports indicate the two people killed were in the car but nothing's been determined on their identity or motive.

'They continue to investigate—law enforcement remains on heightened alert over Thanksgiving.'

Amtrak have temporarily suspended their cross-border service between New York State and Canada, according to CNN.

This comes as the FBI continue to investigate the explosion at the border.

Secretary Pete Buttigieg said: 'I’ve been briefed by our staff in NY state and HQ on the explosion & related bridge closures on the US-Canada border and am in touch with my Canadian counterpart.

'Travelers in the area should follow instructions & updates from law enforcement & state officials on travel impacts.'

A new video has showed the car, which later exploded, as it flew through the air near the border check.

All four bridges between Canada and the United States in the Niagara area have closed.

This includes the Rainbow Bridge, Peace Bridge, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and Whirlpool Bridge.

They were taken out of service at the request of American officials, following the car explosion this afternoon.

Three heavy snowplows have been put in place to block the entrance to the Rainbow Bridge from the Ontario, Canada side.

According to the CBC, several tourists were now stranded in Niagara Falls after they crossed the bridge on foot on Wednesday - just one day before Thanksgiving.

Kathy Hochul has attempted to ease the minds of her constituents.

She is on her way to Buffalo to speak with emergency responders and law enforcement.

Hocul said: 'At my direction, NY State Police is actively working with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force to monitor all points of entry to New York.

'I am traveling to Buffalo to meet with law enforcement & emergency responders & will update New Yorkers when more information becomes available.'

The Jewish Community Center of Buffalo wrote in a statement on Facebook: 'Attention: There has been an explosion of an incendiary device on the Rainbow Bridge.

'Out of an abundance of caution, our partners in law enforcement have recommended that we close our buildings through the Thanksgiving Holiday.

'There are no known credible threats against the Jewish Community at this time.'

The vehicle - which exploded into flames - was traveling at high speed, according to law enforcement.

The car flew about 10 feet into the air.

Buffalo Niagara International Airport is closed to all departing and arriving international flights, according to CNN, citing the Federal Aviation Administration.

Justin Trudeau's press secretary, Jenna Ghassabeh, said the prime minister has been briefed 'by the national security and intelligence adviser about the situation in Niagara Falls.'

The Canadian Prime Minister's Office is in contact with the US officials.

Trudeau said, speaking to the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon: 'It's a very serious situation.'

The White House said that it was closely monitoring the situation on the US-Canada border.

President Joe Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland had been briefed on the matter.

No statement from the president has been given yet.

A border patrol officer was injured in the explosion at the Rainbow Bridge today, according to the New York Times.

This comes after it was confirmed that two people inside the car were killed in the blast.

Peace Bridge, a US-Canada crossing, has closed.

Ron Rienas, general manager of the Peace Bridge, said the bridge was shut down early on Wednesday afternoon.

New York State Thruway Authority said in a statement: 'BUFFALO - PEACE BRIDGE CLOSED: Due to the the closure of the Peace Bridge, exit 9 (Fort Erie Canada - Porter Avenue - Peace Bridge) from I-190 in Buffalo is closed at this time.'

Troops from New York City will travel up to the border to help efforts upstate, Mayor Adams said.

Eric Adams said in a statement on Wednesday: 'The NYPD and our team have been closely monitoring the situation on the ground in Buffalo after an explosion at the Rainbow Bridge, and we’ve already sent NYPD officers upstate to support efforts on the ground.

'The NYPD and our partners have already enhanced security, and the city is on heightened alert due to the upcoming holiday, so the public will see increased security at locations across New York City, including entry and egress points into and out of the city.

'We have also reached out to, and are in ongoing communication with, partners from across different levels of government to assist with this effort. Our number one priority is, and always will be, the safety of New Yorkers.

'We will release additional information as it becomes available and will have more information to share this afternoon at our pre-arranged security briefing on the Thanksgiving Day Parade.'

Witnesses who were in the US Customs and Immigration building next to the bridge were turned away, ordered to walk back over the bridge and leave their vehicles on the US side to be checked. '

'There was an explosion just by the tall building you go in.

'My own van was parked so close to the car that exploded, if you watch the video, the car was right on the left hand side,' said one man who had just crossed over with his family.

'When the explosion happened, we heard it like a loud boom. I heard it but I didn't think it was something serious. Someone said "oh my god, the car exploded.'

Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc called the unfolding issue a 'very serious situation.'

He said: 'This is obviously a very serious situation. We’re taking this circumstance very seriously but to speculate on the origin of this particular circumstance – the reasons why this may have happened – until we have more accurate information is simply not responsible.'

The City of Niagara Falls says the explosion came from a car that was trying to enter the US from Canada.

It comes just days after intelligence reported that there was an increased risk of terror in New York City.

In a statement, the field office said: 'The FBI Buffalo Field Office is investigating a vehicle explosion at the Rainbow Bridge, a border crossing between the US and Canada in Niagara Falls.

'The FBI is coordinating with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in this investigation.

'As this situation is very fluid, that's all we can say at this time.'

We will keep you up to date with the latest news after a car exploded on Rainbow Bridge.