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While President Donald Trump was hailing the Brooklyn Bridge in his National Mall speech as “one of the greatest architectural feats of all time,” firefighters in New York City were fighting to protect it from burning down late Saturday night.
It was a contrast of moments from a pair of incredible America 250 fireworks displays Saturday night into early Sunday morning between New York City and the nation’s capital.
A fire broke out on the Brooklyn Bridge in New York during the city’s July Fourth fireworks show. Crowdgoers on Saturday could see flames spreading on the bridge and setting off a plume of smoke before firefighters extinguished the blaze. No injuries were reported.
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The city’s fire department said two fire engines were used to put out the blaze on the bridge, which had been closed to traffic during the show. The show was moved up early because of the threat of severe weather that canceled and delayed other celebrations along the East Coast.
That includes Washington, D.C., where a storm prompted an evacuation of the crowd on the National Mall.
Coincidentally, Trump was hailing that very bridge in his Salute to America 250 speech.
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“We also have the first flag ever to fly over one of the greatest architectural feats of all time, a thing called the Brooklyn Bridge: One of the most beautiful bridges anywhere in the world – built a long time ago,” Trump said in his 37-minute speech, which was also delayed by summer thunderstorms.
Trump’s mention of the Brooklyn Bridge came during his address, highlighting historic American flags, along with ancestors of some of America’s iconic figures.
“American grit, boldness and daring forged heroes like Davy Crockett, Wyatt Earp, Annie Oakley, Teddy Roosevelt, and the legend of the Wild West, Buffalo Bill Cody: These were great, powerful people whose incredible grandchildren happened to be with us tonight,” Trump said, as one presented a flag that first waved over the Brooklyn Bridge.
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“And they stand alongside one of the first American flags ever to fly over our expanding nation. It was carried west just as Lewis and Clark began their journey in 1803.
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“Thank you very much. Great to have you. Great to have you to honor this audacious and indomitable soul of America.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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