Loud, unexpected fireworks alarm some Greenburgh residents

GREENBURGH, N.Y. (WABC) -- Some residents in Greenburgh were upset by a loud and unexpected fireworks display this holiday weekend.

The fireworks were at the private Metropolis Country Club.

The display was captured by children on an iPad. The exploding shells and rockets came as it turned dark Sunday night.

The fireworks could be seen in nearby neighborhoods, but also came as a surprise to Melissa Laurency and her daughter Shiloh.

"All of a sudden were heard these bangs, and we looked up and saw these fireworks, and she was a little nervous by then," Laurency said.

But others clearly caught off guard by the explosions, began emailing Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner.

"The fact they this caught them by surprise and was so loud and so noisy, really frightened a lot of people," Feiner said.

One wrote: "For 20 minutes tonight, I felt like I lived through World War II. There were the loudest pounding and cracks of what sounded like bombs and what I came to find out were fireworks."

Another said: "Tonight my children were woken out of their sleep and came running downstairs crying because of the loud banging and noises. My son thought 'something bad' was happening and is still shaking."

"I spoke to the Hartsdale fire chief this morning at a parade and he said he heard it and it was much louder than typical fireworks," Feiner said.

The country club, town officials say, had the proper permit for the fireworks display.

Over in the Poets Corner neighbor where the streets are named for poets, Hugh Thorne and others enjoyed the surprise show.

"It was well done and it was spectacular. My wife and I enjoyed it," Thorne said.

But another emailer said, "This needs to be rethought. Living here 25 years and never heard anything like that. It sounded as if we were under attack by missiles."

In the future, the supervisor is suggesting an early notification using signs for anyone getting a permit.

"They provide advance notice that's fine. Then people who don't like fireworks, if they are notified, they can go somewhere else while the fireworks are happening," Feiner said.