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Firefighters are expressing frustration after yet another fire is started by fireworks.
Last night, an Ogden warehouse caught fire after what officials call a fireworks accident. They say two teens were playing with fireworks and accidentally started the fire, which spread to the Smith and Edwards warehouse next door.
Over the past 10 days, we've seen several fires start because of fireworks. It has only been a week since the Fourth of July holiday, but firefighters and police say that's not an excuse.
Technically, fireworks are only allowed three days before and three days after certain holidays. Now, public safety officials feel like they need to crack down.
Owners of the Smith and Edwards warehouse say they lost valuable products in the fire that can't be replaced: cars, military engines and expensive surplus items.
The fire started last night just before 10:00. When fire crews arrived, no one was inside, but the building was fully engulfed.
One problem firefighters faced was a fire hydrant issue. This industrial area doesn't have many hydrants, so crews had to make do with limited water. "One engine would pump, and we would relay water to the next engine in order to maintain good water supply and pressure," explained Ogden Deputy Fire Chief Chad Tucker.
The fire blew out windows, exploded barrels of tar and nearly spread to a chemical plant next door -- all because two 15-year-old boys were playing with fireworks in a grassy alley next to trees and debris.
This is the third fire started by fireworks in a week. On Tuesday night, it was a barn in Mapleton. Last week, a brush fire in Magna.
Fire officials in Ogden are getting tougher this year, saying enough is enough. "If we find any illegal fireworks, we're giving them a summons to appear in court and they could be charged with a class B misdemeanor, which is up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine," Tucker said.
The two juveniles confessed to the accident and were cited for reckless burning and endangerment. Their punishment will be decided in the juvenile courts.
Although fire departments may be cracking down, police say firework patrol really isn't their job, it's the parents'. "How do we deter it? The reality is we don't have the resources to drive around looking for people who are playing with fireworks or using fireworks. It's the parents' job," said Ogden police Lt. Mike Ashment.
The damage at the warehouse is estimated to be at $100,000, and the owner doesn't have insurance.
However, when we spoke with the owner over the phone, he didn't even sound upset. He thanked Ogden Fire, and when we asked him about the juveniles who started the fire, all he said was, "Kids will be kids."
E-mail: ngonzales @ksl.com
