Fire Department Battles 45 Fires in Six Hours on Fourth of July
The Fourth of July celebrations turned chaotic for one fire department, which responded to nearly four dozen fires within a six-hour period. South Metro Fire Rescue reported that their crews dealt with 45 fires between 6 p.m. and midnight on Independence Day.
The busy night was anticipated as Americans celebrated with fireworks, both legal and illegal. The majority of the fires involved grass or mulch and were ignited by fireworks. Among these incidents, one adult sustained serious injuries and a child had minor injuries in two separate fireworks-related accidents. Both individuals were transported to local hospitals for treatment.
South Metro Fire Rescue serves approximately 540,000 residents across various cities, including Bow Mar, Castle Pines, Centennial, Cherry Hills Village, Columbine Valley, Foxfield, Greenwood Village, Littleton, Lone Tree, Parker, Castle Pines Village, Highlands Ranch, and Louviers.
South Metro wasn’t the only fire department responding to fireworks mishaps. Fire stations throughout the metro area were called to manage house and grass fires. In one notable incident, an individual was injured in a house fire on Sable Boulevard in Aurora.
Although the Fourth of July has passed, the risk of fire remains high. Firefighters urge homeowners to be vigilant about the potential for fires caused by improperly disposed fireworks. To ensure safety, all used fireworks should be placed in a bucket of water to confirm they are completely extinguished.
