Chinese New Year Firecrackers Cancelled for Suspicion of Gas Fumes

The crowd waited just outside the Gallery Place Metro H Street exit at 7th Street for the sounds of hundreds of firecrackers to celebrate the Chinese New Year and bring good luck, Sunday, February 1, 2009, but DC police and fire authorities called an end to the celebration and evacuated the area when celebrants smelled gas fumes in the street. Not to be dismayed, members of the Washington DC Chinese Youth Club continued drumming and traditional Lion dancing one block down, between 5th and 6th Sts.

View photos from the parade and celebration below.

Images from the Chinese New Year celebration at Gallery Place in Washington, D.C., Sunday February 1, 2009.
A Dragon twists through the crowd.

: Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association

: Chinese Beauties

: Miss Teen Taiwan

: A Dragon twists through the crowd.

: The crowded parade on 7th Street, NW.

: Firefighters waiting, just in case.

: Fresh noodle made on the spot.

: Waiting and waiting for firecrackers.

: Looking for a gas leak.

: Evacuating the area.

: Even in the chaos, the drums never stop.

: Down the street, lion dancing continues.

: Down the street, lion dancing continues.

: The Washington Chinese Youth Club following lion dancing in the streets.

: A young woman in the Washington Chinese Youth Club covers her ears from firecrackers during choi chang, southern lion dancing to bring good luck to businesses, on H Street NW.