Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Days after fireworks were blamed for an apartment fire that forced tenants to jump from three-story windows, Salt Lake County's mayor wants feedback on the idea of a fireworks ban.
And social media users in the county of 1 million have started weighing in. As of Friday afternoon, 885 responses had filtered through, said Michelle Schmitt, spokeswoman for Mayor Ben McAdams. Seventy-five percent favored some kind of ban; 13 percent opposed and the remainder weren't sure or had other specific restrictions in mind.
Schmitt said the Wednesday blaze wasn't the inspiration for the survey on McAdams' Twitter page, but the general hazards associated with fireworks played a part. A flood of calls and comments on Facebook in recent days made it clear people wanted to have a voice, Schmitt said.
"The mayor wanted to hear more," she said.
Related:
Fireworks believed to be cause of fires in Cottonwood Heights, Sugar House
Crews responded to fires in Cottonwood Heights and Sugar House late Tuesday night that they believe were started by fireworks.Early Wednesday morning, the Midvale fire killed pets and caused damage throughout the building, but the tenants who jumped were brought to a hospital with only minor injuries, police said. Two others were rescued by firefighters. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
The county doesn't have the authority to bar fireworks altogether, Schmitt noted. It's up to the state fire marshal or individual towns to make that call.
Some already have.
In Salt Lake City, fireworks are off-limits in parts of the city center near City Creek Canyon; east of Foothill Drive, including the University of Utah campus; and anywhere west of I-215.
Cottonwood Heights reminded residents Friday that aerial fireworks are not allowed to be set off within 300 feet of vacant lots and undeveloped land; 50 feet for ground-based versions. Fires there on July Fourth violated the order, the city said in a news release.
In Draper, fireworks are allowed inside a designated area from 11400 South to 13800 South, and from I-15 to 1300 East, according to the city's website.
