Metro

‘Blaster’-piece! Guard accidentally shoots self at Metropolitan Museum of Art

A security guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art accidentally shot himself in the leg while cleaning his gun inside the famed Upper East Side institution this afternoon.

The unidentified guard, in his 50s, suffered the bullet wound around 2:55 p.m., authorities said. Worried colleagues called 911 and the guard was taken to an area hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening, according to Fire Department officials.

A spokesman for the museum described the accidental shooting in a locker room as a “freak accident” and said the public was never in any danger.

“One of our security officers, one who is authorized to carry a weapon, was in the process of cleaning his gun, when it discharged and hit him in the leg,” Harold Holzer, vice president for external affairs said.

Workers who were ushered outside and tourists interviewed by The Post were unaware of the gunfire.

“He was in a locker room training area, restricted to uniformed guards, deep underground at the Met,” Holzer explained. “There was never a threat to the public or to the non-guard staff at the Met.”

The museum boasts one of “the finest and most comprehensive” art collections in the world and is guarded around the clock.

“It has been well-protected by these uniformed guards for over 100 years,” Holzer said. They’re there to protect the public and the art. It’s worked out well so far. This was a unique event, clearly a freak accident.”

kconley@nypost.com