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A view from above: The first explosion

Updated 3:51 PM ET, Wed April 8, 2015

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Aaron Tang says he witnessed the first of the Boston Marathon bombings through a window from his office, about half a block from the finish line. "(There was a) big blast of fire, and smoke, but it all vanished so fast and (there's) not much left to see minus lots of shattered glass," he wrote on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hahatango/sets/72157633252445135/with/8654232934/" target="_blank">Flickr</a>. The following images are what he saw on April 15, 2013.
Photos: A view from above: The first explosion
Aaron Tang says he witnessed the first of the Boston Marathon bombings through a window from his office, about half a block from the finish line. "(There was a) big blast of fire, and smoke, but it all vanished so fast and (there's) not much left to see minus lots of shattered glass," he wrote on Flickr. The following images are what he saw on April 15, 2013.
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Kenyan runner Rita Jeptoo, who finished first in the women's race, makes her way toward the finish line.
Photos: A view from above: The first explosion
Kenyan runner Rita Jeptoo, who finished first in the women's race, makes her way toward the finish line.
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Children watch the race from a window.
Photos: A view from above: The first explosion
Children watch the race from a window.
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Officers enter the crowd.
Photos: A view from above: The first explosion
Officers enter the crowd.
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Tang's view from his window.
Photos: A view from above: The first explosion
Tang's view from his window.
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Ethiopian runner Lelisa Desisa, who won the men's marathon, reaches the finish line.
Photos: A view from above: The first explosion
Ethiopian runner Lelisa Desisa, who won the men's marathon, reaches the finish line.
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A herd of photographers captures the big race.
Photos: A view from above: The first explosion
A herd of photographers captures the big race.
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Runners pass by.
Photos: A view from above: The first explosion
Runners pass by.
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Smoke fills the air after an explosion.
Photos: A view from above: The first explosion
Smoke fills the air after an explosion.
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People appear to panic.
Photos: A view from above: The first explosion
People appear to panic.
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Bystanders clear the area.
Photos: A view from above: The first explosion
Bystanders clear the area.
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Smoke fills the surrounding area.
Photos: A view from above: The first explosion
Smoke fills the surrounding area.
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People help the injured.
Photos: A view from above: The first explosion
People help the injured.
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Officers help clear the area.
Photos: A view from above: The first explosion
Officers help clear the area.
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Injured people lie on the ground.
Photos: A view from above: The first explosion
Injured people lie on the ground.
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Workers clear a fence.
Photos: A view from above: The first explosion
Workers clear a fence.
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Officers and others help the injured.
Photos: A view from above: The first explosion
Officers and others help the injured.
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Officers continue to help.
Photos: A view from above: The first explosion
Officers continue to help.
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An injured person receives help.
Photos: A view from above: The first explosion
An injured person receives help.
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Glass and blood cover the ground.
Photos: A view from above: The first explosion
Glass and blood cover the ground.
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Officers scan the scene.
Photos: A view from above: The first explosion
Officers scan the scene.
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Debris covers the ground.
Photos: A view from above: The first explosion
Debris covers the ground.
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