This is one of those “only in New York” moments.
On Friday morning, at around 10:15, I was walking West on 86th street, towards 3rd avenue. It was already hot out, probably in the low 80′s with high humidity. That’s why I thought it was weird that it smelled like someone had started a fire in their fireplace.
As I got closer to 3rd Avenue, I started to see smoke. And as you know, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And I found that fire. Turns out, the sidewalk was burning. I don’t mean there was something on the sidewalk that was on fire. I mean, there were flames shooting up out of the cement. It wasn’t dangerous at that point, though every time the wind blew, it seemed like it could reach that level.
Most people walked by as if there was nothing unusual happening. On most days, I would have done the same. But, for some reason, I didn’t. I stopped and called 9-1-1, then stood there. A few other people picked up on the cue and stopped as well. One guy went into a store to get a fire extinguisher. Another tried to stomp out the flames with his shoe. So, we had formed a little posse. We knew there was really nothing we could do until the fire department got there, but we figured this situation couldn’t just be left alone. And so, for about ten minutes, we all became friends. We joked with each other about how watching a sidewalk burn was a perfect excuse to be late for work. We theorized about what the hell could cause a sidewalk to spontaneously combust (You’re guess is as good as mine. I’m still not sure how it happened.) But mostly, we waited. By now, our group had grown to about 10 people. Now, a group of ten people standing around on a New York City sidewalk is usually enough to make someone stop and see what’s going on. Nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd. Add to it billowing white smoke, midsized flames and the smell of fire, and you’d have to think any passers by would take note.
That’s why we were all so shocked when a cop walked by without even giving us a second look. This is one of New York’s finest. The best and the brightest. The last line of defense against threats to our city both foreign and domestic. And yet, nothing. Not a question. Not a sideways glance. He didn’t even slow down. Just kept right on walking.
Luckily, a few firefighters showed up and took over. It was at that point that my new friends and I decided it was time to get on with our days. And so, I left my little burning section of sidewalk.
Only in New York, kiddies. Only in New York.
Sports Illustrated July 4-11th, 2011
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