The cleanup has begun in stores and restaurants closest to the explosion site on West 23rd Street, after investigators finally left the scene Monday night. Our Michael Herzenberg spoke to one resident who documented the investigation from an apartment overhead.
From boarding up broken windows, to sweeping up shattered glass, the cleanup is under way along West 23rd Street after Saturday night’s bomb blast left several businesses with a mess.
Residents got the scare of their lives.
Tim Peters and his wife were sitting on their couch, when the explosion occurred right across the street.
"It was unbelievably loud, and glass everywhere we didn't know what it was," Peters said. "We just got down on the ground got away from the windows and it was just nuts."
He says they spent Sunday and Monday on virtual lockdown in their apartment documenting investigators as they sifted debris looking for evidence.
"They've combed over every inch they've had hundreds of people through here in uniforms looking for things," Peters said.
He says he’s pleased to get back to his routine — going downstairs for breakfast — now that the shop reopened after a two-day shutdown of the street.
"It can be traumatic on a small business but you have to deal with it," said Annick Baron, owner of La Maison Du Macaron.
Owners of the affected businesses by in large say the financial hardship is unimportant compared to what could have happened. They were pleased no one was killed and the injuries were not more serious.
"We might be shattered, but we're definitely not broken, as you can see we're back open," said the owner of a nearby gym "So, we're just glad to be back and see all of our members' faces."
I asked one resident if he was scared.
He said that he was pleased authorities captured the person believed responsible and that this is the most protected area in the country after the White House, so no, no fear on this day.