Late Night Firework Show Over Hudson: New Yorkers Ask Why

NEW YORK CITY — Some New Yorkers were in for a shock Thursday night when a fireworks show over the Hudson River set of loud bangs and flashing lights that were visible throughout the city.

The New York City Office of Emergency management on Twitter warned residents that the show would take place between 7:50 and 8:10 p.m. on Thursday and would be seen or heard in Manhattan, Staten Island and The Bronx.

Multiple people on Twitter replied to the NYCEM's tweet reporting that the show did not begin until 10:45 p.m., leading some to believe the fireworks were gunshots, an explosion or severe weather.

The city was on alert Thursday afternoon for severe weather that threatened the area with the chance of hail and isolated tornadoes. One social media user wrote: "Surely there will not be fireworks in this weather."

"Does anyone know what this is about?" wrote another. "I thought the thunderstorm came back with a vengeance at first... 11 p.m. on a Thursday? Who asked for this?"

The New York Daily News reported the firework show was a practice run for Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards. According to the report, some residents made calls to 911 fearing there had been an explosion in the city.

"That finale had us thinking the city was under attack," read one reply to the NYCEM tweet. "Why you do dat???"