NYPD blow up 5,000lbs of illegal fireworks after massive city-wide crackdown ahead of Fourth of July celebrations

Last updated at 6:27 PM on 2nd July 2011

This is the moment New York bomb disposal experts staged a spectacular Fourth of July fireworks display two days early - after destroying 5,000lbs of illegal pyrotechnics.

NYPD officers carried out the controlled explosion on the huge haul of fireworks, ranging from sparklers to professional pyrotechnics.

Police had seized cases worth over $25,000 ahead of the Fourth of July holiday weekend following a city-wide crackdown in New York.

Ready to explode: The mountain of pyrotechnics sits at the NYPD's firing range in the Bronx

Set alight: Officers blow up the first few fireworks, sending bright orange flames shooting into the sky

Take cover: As the explosions spread, plumes of smoke from the pyrotechnics begin the fill the sky

Smoking hot: As the flames and bursts of colour subside, dozens of rockets can still be seen going off in all directions

Mayor Michael Bloomberg warned that fireworks in the hands of amateurs can be extremely dangerous and illegal.

Mayor Bloomberg said: 'We've worked to aggressively crackdown on the use of illegal fireworks and the transporting of illegal fireworks into the city.'

The footage shows a spectacular minute-long pyrotechnics display as the mountain of fireworks are lit at the NYPD firing range in the Bronx.

The warning video was released jointly by Mayor Bloomberg, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano as a reminder to New Yorkers of the dangerous consequences of transporting, buying, selling or using fireworks.

FDNY Fire Marshals in the Firework Enforcement Unit say they have made 20 arrests, and have seized 300 fireworks cases worth more than $25,000 during the crackdown.

Police Commissioner Kelly told the New York Post: 'For the last several years, we have been confiscating fireworks, seizing the vehicles of those transporting them, and making arrests.

Spectacular: The Macy's Fourth of July fireworks display over New York's Hudson River is one of the most spectacular in the country

'These enforcement measures appear to be working, as seizures of fireworks are down again this year compared with this time last year.

'We encourage everyone to celebrate safely, and have a happy Fourth of July.'

Mayor Bloomberg urged those celebrating the Fourth of July in New York to instead watch the city's spectacular Macy's fireworks display over the Hudson River.

The 25-minute display is said to use 55 times more fireworks than the average show in the country.