Fireworks Explosion In Pelham Bay Park Shatters Windows Scares Residents

Police investigate the scene of a large explosion last night on a Pelham Bay Park baseball field where someone set off fireworks around 11:15 p.m. causing a huge blast and broke windows a block away. (Photo: William C. Lopez)

Bronx

A massive explosion rocked the Bronx tonight when a box of fireworks detonated in Pelham Bay Park at about 11:15 p.m., an FDNY spokesperson said, according to the New York Post. 

The explosives were in a garbage pail that was left on a pitcher’s mound on a baseball field in the park, law enforcement sources said. The pail was turned to shrapnel in the blast, but there were still a number of unexploded fireworks left scattered around.

““These were high grade professional fireworks, very strong fireworks,” an NYPD source said.

Residents throughout the borough reported hearing the blast.

Many ran into the streets to see what was going on.

About 100 calls were made to 911 on Monday night after an explosion was heard and felt in homes around Pelham Bay Park. A mesh trash can had been put at the park's baseball diamond and filled with commercial-grade fireworks that, after they had been detonated, caused some windows to break. No injuries were reported and DNA testing was being conducted on duct tape and a box used in the detonation.   (Photo: Enid Alvarez/New York Daily News)    

Police say that fireworks were detonated from a trash can, sending out vibrations that could be felt for miles.  The incident generated 911 calls from two states. (@roblafata)

It was not clear why the explosives went off, but there were no reported injuries.

Houses as far as a block away from the park suffered shattered windows.

“There was shaking, just crazy shaking, I heard a loud boom, two of the windows on my house cracked,” said Nick Pjetromi, 37. “We were all scared, especially my kids.”

People took to Twitter to report hearing the blast from as far away as Glen Cove on Long Island.

Early this morning police could still be seen searching the area. While officials suspected the explosives were fireworks, they could not say who set them off.

Police took the unexploded fireworks to the NYPD firing range and detonated them.

The blast was so powerful it broke these windows in nearby house. (Photos: William C. Lopez)

Read/View More:

Window-shattering blast in Bronx park caused by fireworks in trash can   

New York Daily News - December 31, 2013 - By Tina Moore  

Huge fireworks blast rattles Bronx

New York Post - December 30, 2013 -  By Antonio Anntenucci, Ken Garger and Larry Celona

Residents Rattled After Fireworks Go Off In Bronx Park

WCBS - December 31, 2013

Detonated Fireworks Cause Loud Explosion in Bronx: FDNY

WNBC - December 31, 2013

Bronx fireworks blast shatters windows and rattles nerves

WABC - December 31, 2013

Fireworks explosion rattles Bronx residents near Pelham Bay Park

News 12 - Bronx -  December 31, 2013

City Loses Tens Of Thousands Of Trees - Hundreds In Central Park

City and Federal Parks Remain Closed

The Great Lawn - Central Park.  34 people have lost lives in the city as a result of Hurricane Sandy so far. (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on images to enlarge.

UPDATED

City-Wide

By Geoffrey Croft

Hurricane Sandy unleashed its deadly furry across the five boroughs.

Trees smashed into homes and cars and were directly responsible for killing at least three people. At least 34 people have lost thier lives, while others are still missing. 

Tens of thousands of trees were lost throughout city streets and in parks during the violent storm. 

"We lost hundreds of trees," said Central Park Conservancy head Doug Blonsky. 

The conservancy estimates they lost approximately 250 trees.

"The damage was not concentrated to certain areas this time, it was throughout the park."

"Thankfully we have plenty of crews both in-house and contracted out.  We were also lucky we did not lose any structures." 

Mr. Blonsky said Maples, Oaks and Linden trees were the hardest hit.

Cnetral Park - Merchant's Gate entrance.  South West corner of the park near Columbus Circle.

He said the park was shut until further notice to remove dangerous trees and survey the damage.

Asked when he thought the park might re-open he replied, "Maybe Thursday."

In Central Park metal barriers weighted down with sandbags were installed at entrances to prevent the public from accessing the park's 843 acres.  For the most part the public complied.

Yesterday morning Mr. Blonsky was seen opening up a barrier to let a stray female runner out of the park at Fifth Avenue and 90th Street.  

A number of large trees were lost in the Great Lawn, one crashed through a backstop. On the South West corner of the park near the Columbus Circle Merchant's Gate entrance tourists snapped photos of two large fallen trees.

A number of downed trees could also be seen along and from the park perimeter. 

W. 83rd St & Central Park West.  A tree dangles precariously in the park and onto Central Park West.  

This Sunday's NYC Marathon was another factor.

"It's a mess,"  said another Conservancy Park worker checking on fallen trees.  

"We trying to get it ready for the Marathon, there's a lot of pressure."

While playgrounds remained locked throughout the city the rest of the parks made due with  yellow caution tape strung across park entrances which many people ignored. Park Enforcement Parol and NYPD officers guarded some parks and interior roads and instructed the public to exit. 

Throughout the city crews are working feverishly to clear away trees and debris.  Downed trees were also littered across the city's parkways.

"The priority is to clear the street trees, and roads not inside the park," said one Parks Department gardener working a chain saw in the Bronx.

A woman examines a downed tree in Pelham Bay Park.  The city's largest park lost hundreds of trees. 

Hundreds of trees littered the ground of the city's largest park,  Pelham Bay in the Bronx. 

A handful of workers were seen scattered throughout the park removing trees and clearing away. A few people walked dogs and carefully navigated ignoring the park's closed status.

The Park's main sign was blown into the ground. 

The Department of Sanitation crews had multiple vehicles set up in the parking lot of Orchard Beach.

In Marcus Garvey Park, DPR employees using chain saws cleared away fallen trees. By mid-afternoon crews had removed a tree at a park entrance on 5th Avenue and 120th Street.  

A large Oak tree that crashed into the outfield of the baseball field remained. A 9-year-old girl was seen climbing on top of the limbs much to her father's disapproval.

The city said it received more than 7000 calls for downed trees. 

The last few years has been tough for the Middle Village community who has seen it's share of storm damage including from Hurricane Irene in 2011.

Firemen attach chain to tree on 78th St & 58 Avenue to pull it off a house in Middle Village Queens.  (Photo: Robert Holden/Juniper Valley Park Civic Association)

"Almost every block in the neighborhood had trees or major limbs down,"  said Robert Holden, president of the Juniper Valley Park Civic Association. 

"Some people were trapped and had to be rescued. Many trees are still blocking the streets. Thankfully we did not have the rain. We were lucky compared to other areas. We've had no loss of life as far as we know."

"We hope there is an aggressive tree pruning program," he said.

Mr. Holden said half the people had no power.

"A lot of seniors are calling, they're worried."

He said the August 2011 micro-bust which ripped thought selected commuunities in the city and destroyed thousands of trees and properties was the worst. 

"It's been a tough last few years ," Mr. Holden said.

"We've lost a lot of mature trees. It's heart breaking."

Rockway Beach lost dozens of blocks of its historic boardwalk.

Residents stand on the remains of part of the historic Rockaway boardwalk  in Queens after large parts of it were washed away during Hurricane Sandy on October 31, 2012.  (Photo: Getty Images)

The foundations of the historic Rockaway Boardwalk and other Parks Department facilites in Queens are all that remain after it was washed away. (Photo:  Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Staten Island was hit particularly hard.

Officials have confirmed that 12  people have died as a result of the storm. Many people had to be evacuated from their homes.

Police and rescue personnel are still searching for Connor and Brandon Moore, ages 2 and 4 who were washed away from their mothers arms when their suv was swept away into wetlands off of Fr. Capodano Blvd below Sand Lane on Monday. 

Tens of thousands of residents are without power.

300,000 gallons of diesel fuel have leaked into the Arthur Kill from the Motiva oil tank facility according to the Coast Guard. Oil has started to wash up in Smith Creek.

The death toll in the city has risen to 34, and was expected to go up. 

The Hurricane has caused billions of dollars in damage, it has destroyed more than a hundred homes and more than 400, 000 lost power. 

Central Park - Closed.  Police prevent the public from accessing the park at the Engineers' Gate entrance at Fifth Avenue & 90th St.  (Photos Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on images to enlarge

The Great Lawn.  Three downed trees. Field # 4 - A ballfield backstop in damaged by a fallen tree.

W. 83rd St. & Central Park West. 

An Oak tree crashed through a 16 foot high chain-link fence and into the outfield in Marcus Garvey Park. 

Marcus Garvey Park - Crews clear a downed tree blocking a path. 

Marcus Garvey Park. A father watches his 9-year-old girl climb on an Oak tree that fell into the baseball field. 

Marcus Garvey Park - Oak tree that fell into the baseball field.  

Marcus Garvey Park - Oak tree that fell into the baseball field. 

MillBrook Playground - Bronx.

Pelham Bay Park -  The  park's main sign was blown to the ground.

Pelham Bay Park - Park Enforcement Officers guard the road leading into Orchard Beach. 

Pelham Bay Park - Two trees and a lamp post.

Pelham Bay Park - Parks Department forestry crews go to work.

Pelham Bay Park - In the city largest park hundreds of downed trees litter the landscape.

Pelham Bay Park. 

Pelham Bay Park - A Parks Department worker clears a park entrance.

Pelham Bay Park

Gerard Avenue & E. 146th Street. 

York Avenue and E. 91St Street. A Department of Sanitation crew cleans up near the Asphalt Green

The Great Lawn.  Three downed trees. Field # 4 - A ballfield backstop in damaged by a fallen tree.

A number of trees fell around the Great Lawn in Central Park.    

The Great Lawn.  

The Great Lawn.

Firemen attach chain to tree on 78th St & 58 Avenue to pull it off a house in Middle Village Queens.  (Photos: Robert Holden/Juniper Valley Park Civic Association) 

 74th St near Pleasantview St, owner of vehicle walks by thankful that tree fell on car instead of her house.

 80th Street just north of Juniper Blvd North

Juniper Valley Park near Pullis Cemetery on Juniper Blvd North  

Animals Killed With Blow Gun In Pelham Bay Park

UPDATED: A Canadian Goose with a dart lodged in its left shoulder in the parking lot of Orchard Beach in Pelham Bay Park yesterday. Eight animals have been shot over the last several weeks including four birds which were killed.  (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on images to enlarge.

"The incidents further highlight the need for more security in Pelham Bay Park, which is New York City’s largest park and is three times the size of Central Park. Although the Bronx has more parkland than any of New York City’s other boroughs, it ranks fourth in the number of enforcement officers who patrol the parks," said Council Member James Vacca.

Bronx

By Geoffrey Croft

Someone is hunting wildlife in the city's largest park and with deadly results. 

Eight animals have been shot over the last several weeks in Pelham Bay Park NYC Park Advocates has learned.

Officials believe the weapon is a blow gun.

On September 21, four birds were found shot with darts - two were dead and two others had to be euthanized due to the wounds.

Last Tuesday Pelham Bay Park maintenance employees discovered another four animals had been stuck with blowdarts in the Orchard Beach parking lot.

Two Ring-Billed Gulls were wounded at Orchard Beach, including one that was shot just below the eye (below) October 14, 2012 (Photos by Joseph Morales)

Two ring-billed gulls were wounded, one was shot below the eye.  One Canadian goose was darted in the shoulder. The forth animal shot was a squirrel. 

The Park Department's Urban Park Rangers attempted to capture the wounded animals but they fled when approached. 

According to law enforcement sources the plastic blow gun can shoot up to 70 feet and can be purchased in local bodegas. The deadly darts are the size of a pen.

Urban Park Rangers and Park Enforcement Patrol officers will step up patrols and make additional attempts to capture the injured animals according to the Parks Department.

On Wednesday two PEP officers were keeping an eye on two injured Canadian Geese.

NYPD officers from the 45th Pct. will also step up patrols in the area said law enforcement sources.

The NY State Department of Conservation has opened an investigation into the incident and have assigned police officers, said DEC spokeswoman Lisa King.  They confirmed that one bird was brought to a Manhattan veterinarian hospital.


On Wednesday a Canadian Goose with a dart lodged in its right shoulder was spotted in the Orchard Beach parking lot in Pelham Bay Park. (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on images to enlarge.

According to the spokeswoman they have stepped up patrols in the area. They have gone out into the park, interviewed patrons and have been patrolling the area in unmarked vehicles.

The crime, if the offender is caught would be prosecuted under State law, not city animal cruelty laws.

The crime is a violation and the offense is "illegally pursuing taking or wounding protected wildlife" and "taking or wounding of a protected bird."

Wounded Geese and Seagulls under state protection. The penalty is up to 15 days in jail per violation and a fine of up to $250 per violation according to NY State DEC.

On Wednesday PEP officers located two injured geese in Pelham Bay Park. 

On Thursday Council Member James Vacca announced plans to introduce legislation banning the sale of blow guns in New York City.

The blow guns, which are sold at stores near to Pelham Bay Park in Vacca’s district, are considered toys and are not dangerous to humans, but they are lethal to animals and are illegal to for hunting Vacca said in a statement.   

“Toy guns are banned in New York City, and these blow guns must be done away with too,” said Vacca.

“They serve no productive purpose, especially when they are used illegally and unacceptably to kill and maim animals. I ask anyone with information about these animal attacks to please come forward, and I implore the merchants in Orchard Beach to stop selling these blow guns immediately.”

 Orchard Beach parking lot in Pelham Bay Park.

Read/View More:

Several Animals Shot With Blowgun In Pelham Bay Park

WCBS -  October 17, 2012 - By Cindy Hsu 

Several animals shot with blow darts

WABC - October 17, 2012 - By Marcus Solis 

9 Animals Shot With Blowgun in Bronx Park Two of the birds

were found dead and two had to be euthanized

WNBC - October 18, 2012 - By Tracie Strahan

Animals, Trees Attacked In Pelham Bay Park

NY1 -  October 17, 2012 - By Erin Clarke

Wildlife targeted at Pelham Bay Park

Fox - October - 19, 2012 - By TI-Hua Chang

Bronx Park’s Animals Are Targeted With Darts

New York Times - City Room -  October 18, 2012 - By Andy Newman

9 animals shot with blowgun in Bronx park

The Associated Press via The Wall Street Journal

Pelham Bay Park birds, squirrels being attacked with blow guns

Metro - October 17, 2012 - Danielle Tcholakian 

Rangers hunt animal abuser in Pelham Bay Park

NewYork Post - October 18, 2012 - By Helen Freund

Dart devil targets critters

NewYork Post - October 19, 2012 - By Helen Freund

1010 WINS - October 17, 2012

Pelham Bay Park under attack! Birds and squirrel shot with darts

after trees vandalized in Bronx green space

Trees vandalized, and birds killed by sicko with dart gun

New York Daily News - October 17, 2012 -  By Daniel Beekman    

Darted Ring-billed Gulls at Orchard beach

City Island Birds - Fall Birdwalk Results - October 14, 2012