A pedestrian was seriously wounded by an explosion in Central Park near Fifth Avenue and East 62nd Street in New York City Sunday afternoon after stepping on a mysterious object, according to ABC News.

Police said in a statement that the object might have been fireworks-related due to the upcoming Independence Day holiday in the US.

NYPD added that they have closed off the park to visitors and have bomb squad specialists on the scene for further investigation.

The New York Fire Department confirmed that the pedestrian suffered a serious leg injury in the event and was transferred to nearby Bellevue Hospital for "possible amputation."