Yesterday's "explosion" scare was caused by a piece of glass—anywhere from 30 x 30 to 25 x 90— that fell from the 52nd floor of the Galleria on 117 East 57th street. The glass plane hit balconies as it fell and eventually crashed through a glass atrium on the 10th floor. Police say the glass was most likely pushed out by strong winds, but witnesses say the crash was so loud it sounded like an explosion. One passerby told the Post, "I was standing outside and I heard a crash. It was like the loudest thunder I ever heard."
Police say the condo was undergoing construction at the time, which could have added to the window's instability. Though there were reports of jumpers yesterday, no injuries have been reported on the scene, but falling glass nearly hit some people waiting at a nearby bus stop. The condo is also located just one story below famed magician David Copperfield's apartment.
Nearby streets were closed for hours after the incident and the Department of Buildings issued a "Partial Vacate" order, but locals were relieved that it wasn't anything more serious. Resident Serena Simpkins told WCBS, "In New York, when you hear an explosion you think it's a bomb, you think it's the worst."
