Brooklyn Bridge blaze sparks panic during July 4 fireworks in New York

A section of New York City’s iconic Brooklyn Bridge briefly caught fire during Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show turning part of the city’s Independence Day celebration into a tense moment for spectators.

The fire broke out Friday night during the 50th annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks spectacular which this year expanded its display across the Brooklyn Bridge, the Lower East River and the Lower Hudson River as part of America’s 250th birthday celebrations.

Videos shared online showed flames and smoke rising from portions of the bridge while fireworks continued exploding overhead.

According to multiple reports the blaze appeared to erupt from platforms that had been installed on the bridge for the fireworks launch. Firefighters responded quickly and brought the fire under control shortly before 10 p.m.

The FDNY said two fire engines were used to extinguish the flames. No injuries were reported.

A source familiar with the emergency response told the New York Post that the fire started on launch platforms used for the pyrotechnics and not on the bridge itself.

The 143-year-old Brooklyn Bridge was not damaged and remains “safe and structurally sound,” the source said.

One witness told the Post that the fire initially looked like part of the show before the situation became alarming.

“At first I thought it was supposed to happen but then I was scared it would explode,” the witness said. “I thought the bridge was made of wood so I was scared.”

Despite the dramatic scenes officials said the fire was quickly contained and the bridge remained safe after the incident.