Fireworks damage Mineola catering hall during event, police say
Exterior of the Jericho Terrace Catering Hall in Mineola on Friday, July 4, 2014. Credit: Howard Schnapp
Fireworks from a tube launcher exploded and damaged a doorway outside a Mineola catering hall where about 100 people were attending an event inside, Nassau police said.
Witnesses said that at about 11:25 p.m. Thursday, they saw a man outside the Jericho Terrace Catering Hall on Jericho Turnpike pointing at what appeared to be a large pipe at the north, outside wall of the building, according to police. The witnesses reported hearing a loud bang and seeing smoke and an explosion, police said.
The man was seen running south on Mineola Boulevard.
There were no injuries, police said.
"Nobody was evacuated" from the catering hall and the incident had "zero effect to any affair going on," Robert Stevenson, general manager of the hall, said by phone Friday.
Police initially reported the explosion had come from a pipe bomb but revised their determination after an investigation.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-8477.
SARRA SOUNDS OFF: Long Island teams win 8 state titles On this episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra, Ben Dickson and Michael Sicoli recap the state championships including baseball and lacrosse.
SARRA SOUNDS OFF: Long Island teams win 8 state titles On this episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra, Ben Dickson and Michael Sicoli recap the state championships including baseball and lacrosse.
