Dry weather and new laws contributed to an “uptick” in fireworks-related damage in Forsyth County over the Independence Day weekend, a fire official said.
There were six fires in residential areas, two of which damaged houses, fire Division Chief Jason Shivers said Wednesday. Also, four brush fires were caused by commercial shows. No injuries were reported.
About 10 p.m. Sunday, a fire inside a garage at a house on Stallion Drive likely was caused by a neighbor’s fireworks, Shivers said.
“The homeowner heard fireworks explode very close and smelled smoke,” Shivers said. The garage door was open, and the homeowner’s car, several gas cans and a propane grill were in the garage.
Fire units responded quickly, and damage was contained to one corner of the garage.
“Had (the homeowner) not found the fire quickly, there would have been a significant fire in the home,” Shivers said.
About 8 a.m. Monday, the exterior of a house on Andrew Way caught fire, Shivers said. Fireworks the night before left the neighborhood “littered with fireworks debris,” he said. The fire likely was caused by fireworks “fallout” into pine straw on and around the house.
On Sunday, four brush fires were started in connection with commercial shows, Shivers said. Since officials were notified in advance of the shows, fire units were able to respond quickly to prevent damage. Shivers said fires at such events are “not unusual.”
But the fallout from such commercial shows can be significant. “It just takes one spark to make its way to the ground,” Shivers said.
Investigations into the fires are still active, Shivers said.
The increased use of fireworks is a factor in such fires. “In years past, fireworks were illegal,” Shivers said. “They weren’t as widespread as they are now.”
Shivers said he’s not anti-fireworks.
“We just want people to be safe and responsible,” he said. “They are not a toy.”
