This was the scene outside the New York Public Library yesterday when the “Midtown Volcano” erupted. Inside, no one had a clue what was going on.

I have a vague memory of hearing a loud bang and assuming it was just a thunderclap as we’ve had a number of thunderstorms lately. Despite the headlines of gridlock and mass panic, when I left the library at 7pm (admittedly by the side entrance on 42nd Street) it was as though nothing had happened. I only found out about it when I got home.