Reading his posts, I couldn't get a good indication of velocity.

However, seeing a "shooting star" is a relatively common thing. I don't understand why the concensus is "Iridium flare" Which I have seen and I know the difference between the two, when seeing a chunk fall from the sky isn't unusual by any means

I disagree with the iridium flare theory- based on observational account not matching an Iridium Flare by any means.