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Fireworks Shows Continue In Norwood

 

 

Amateur fireworks shows continue in the Bronx, and in other parts of the City despite previous warnings from the FDNY that they were causing a disturbance, and were also hazardous. A video of a fireworks show was shot on 209th Street and Hull Avenue in the Norwood section of the Bronx on Friday, July 31.

 

Two cars initially blocked off 209th street causing a back-up of traffic, and once the fireworks display began, it was no longer possible to drive either through 209th Street or down Hull Avenue. Pedestrians were able to proceed on foot down 209th Street but in some cases, rushed for cover to avoid falling residue from the fireworks. Some of those setting them off also seemed to have a few close calls.

A group of men set off mortars, rockets, and firecrackers during an illegal fireworks show on Friday, July 31 in Norwood, The Bronx.
Photo by David Greene

One long time resident of the block said that the fireworks were part of a birthday memorial celebration for another lifelong resident, James Wimmer, who would have celebrated his 45th birthday on Sunday, Aug. 1, had he not died at the age of 43 on May 25, 2018 of a heart attack. Despite the fact that it is illegal to set-off amateur fireworks, the display began at about 8.15 p.m., lasted for at least 45 minutes, and no police appeared on the scene.

Residents watch as mostly young, and middle aged men put on an illegal fireworks show which lasts for, at least, 45 minutes in Norwood, The Bronx, on Friday, July 31.
Photo by David Greene

It was not possible to tell how many young men were setting off the fireworks, as some would light a few, disappear, then others would light some more, and later return in a continuous flow.

 

A few teens aged approximately between 16 and 18 were present, but most of the group comprised young men in their 20s and 30s. A couple of children were also seen but were kept at their parents’ side in front of 1, Hull Avenue building.

 

A resident turns the corner at East 209th Street and Hull Avenue as illegal fireworks shut down the street in Norwood, The Bronx on Friday, July 31.
Photo by David Greene

One pair of residents on the other end of the block at East 207th Street said they were not happy with the noise. In May, elected officials had appealed to residents to desist from setting off fireworks out of respect for front line workers who were unable to sleep because of the persistent noise.

Meanwhile, at least one barbecue grill was set-up and lit for hotdogs and hamburgers on the same street as where the fireworks were being set off.

 

FDNY had no record of injuries for the reported location.

An amazing, yet potentially dangerous fireworks display at East 209th Street and Hull Avenue in Norwood, The Bronx on Friday, July 31.
Photo by David Greene

Norwood News reported last month that an 18-year-old male was accidentally struck in the chest by a lit firework in the early hours of Wednesday, Jun. 17 in front of 2410 University Avenue.

 

Also in June, NBC NY News reported that a 3-year-old in the Bronx was left with burns and stitches to his head after fireworks shot through a top floor apartment window.

 

On July 19, the New York Post reported that a woman in Brooklyn was shot dead in retaliation for confronting her neighbors about noise from fireworks in her neighborhood. The victim’s mother said she had apparently taken the advice of Brooklyn Borough President, Eric Adams, to settle disputes neighbor-to-neighbor rather than calling 911.

 

Norwood News asked residents recently for their views on the recurring fireworks displays which appear to have subsided since July 4, but have not quite ended.

 

*Síle Moloney contributed additional reporting to this story.

Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.

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