Fireworks lead to 2 house fires


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OGDEN — Ogden firefighters warn the public to be cautious after two fires started by fireworks damaged homes Thursday night.

Crews responded to a fire near 100 North and Childs Avenue just after 10 p.m. Thursday.

Homeowners said a firework tipped over and fired into bushes surrounding their home.

“The unfortunate part is that they were trying to be safe, trying to prop things up with bricks and stuff. But one of the mortars went over into a bush,” said Battalion Chief Hal Van Meeteren of the Ogden City Fire Department.

The blaze spread to a trailer, a car and the garage, seriously damaging all of them. Fire and smoke also damaged the house. Damage is estimated at $30,000, Deputy Fire Chief Eric Bauman said in a news release.

The fire also damaged a power line, which fell in the backyard of the home. Crews rescued a cat from the house and gave it oxygen via a pet oxygen mask, Bauman said. No people were injured.

A second fire burned near 800 East and 1325 North. It started in a trash can next to a garage. A family put used fireworks into the garbage. About an hour later, they heard a loud popping sound.

The fireworks had set the garbage can on fire. Flames destroyed the garage and left $15,000 in damage.

Between the two fires, eight people were displaced overnight.

“Just because these (fireworks) are legal doesn’t mean they are safe," cautioned Van Meeteren. "Even when you take precautions, accidents are still going to happen. That’s what happened in one of these cases tonight.”

Crews also responded to several grass fires started by fireworks Thursday night.

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