Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Fireworks Free-For-All Over Brooklyn As Hood Decides to Put On Its Own Show



Brooklyn residents, denied the opportunity to see the city's official fireworks, took matters into their own hands this year as "Brooklyn neighborhoods were rocked with unofficial explosions throughout most of the night," reports the Brooklyn Eagle.

“The neighborhood was like a war zone from 10 o’clock on,” said a resident of East Flatbush. "It sounded like they were firing cannons." Others reported fireworks being set off in the streets of Cobble Hill and even in staid Brooklyn Heights.

We can add to this report that fireworks were set off in serious quantities in Downtown Brooklyn -- and even from the roof of Concord Village (not usually lawless territory). Gothamist reports fireworks in Williamsburg  "flying out down the street, into buildings, and sometimes, perilously close to gathered crowds."

De Blasio Begs for Crumbs for Brooklyn

According to the Eagle, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio on Tuesday "urged Macy’s to alternate its yearly spectacular fireworks displays between the East and Hudson rivers so that all — Manhattanites, Brooklynites, Queens residents and even New Jerseyans — get a chance to view them."

It might be too little too late, however.With no fireworks for Brooklyn and less money available to police the streets, kids in the hood are finding that it's easy -- and fun! -- to make their own show. (Expect a large increase in tragic accidents next year.)

Here are a couple of videos showing home-grown fireworks shot off in various Brooklyn neighborhoods Monday night.


Just your random Brooklyn pyrotechnics display.


Here's a one and a half minute video of a street being set on fire in Gravesend.

Denied Macy's Fireworks, Some Make Their Own  Brooklyn Eagle

NYC Fireworks Disappoint in Brooklyn  McBrooklyn

Go to McBrooklyn's HOME PAGE.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Fireworks in Brooklyn: "In November of 1887, a physician living on Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights, Dr. S. Fleet Speir, had the unpleasant experience of a rocket flying right through his front door when the Brooklyn Academy of Music was lighting a display on Montague and Clinton streets. His house burned and the city was found liable for granting the permit."
http://brooklynbeforenow.blogspot.com/2011/06/dangers-of-fireworks-circa-1902.html