Firework explodes during dispute near Jewish synagogue in Queens: Police
KEW GARDENS, Queens (WABC) -- An investigation is underway after a firework went off during a dispute near a Jewish synagogue in Queens, according to officials.
According to police, the incident occurred Friday night during a dispute between a person on the street and two people in a van.
They say a firework was tossed from the van onto the sidewalk on Metropolitan Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard.
The firework then went off as the suspects in the van drove away.
"That dissipated in a few minutes - in a few seconds - but it was really loud. I'm on the floor and the windows kind of raddled, but he got really scared," neighbor Chris Beck said. "Me and my neighbors thought a manhole exploded."
Beck says he went to his window and saw a big puff of white smoke outside.
"It was a second, but it was a huge bang - way louder than a car backfiring. My wife and I rushed to the window because you could feel it. An explosion that you could feel inside," he said.
Neither the suspect nor the van have been recovered.
Police say the incident appears to have no connection to the nearby synagogue.
People in the neighborhood were told to keep far away from the scene.
Police also said to expect traffic delays and road closures.
No injuries were reported.
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