Home in Goshen a 'total loss' after fireworks hit nearby hay bales

GOSHEN, Utah County — A house in Goshen is a "total loss" after fireworks hit some hay bales next to the home and set it ablaze, officials said.

Utah County Sheriff's Office spokesman tweeted about the fire after 5 p.m. Cannon said the Goshen, Genola and Santaquin Fire departments would be working for several hours to extinguish the blaze.

No one was injured, Cannon said.

"This firework, the hay pile… and a total loss of the home… stay safe. Protect yourself from accidents with fireworks," the Utah County Fire Marshal tweeted.

Fireworks can legally be launched from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 2 through July 5, and again on July 22 to July 25. The window extends to midnight on the Fourth of July and Pioneer Day.

While personal fireworks are currently legal during the Pioneer Day holiday window, there are still some limitations. Cities can restrict areas where fireworks are and aren't legal, or even ban them altogether. Given the state's drought and fire risks, Gov. Spencer Cox said last month that it's important for everyone to study these maps if they plan to light off personal fireworks this July.

"We all have a responsibility ... to help exercise good fire sense to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and to not burn the state down," he said. "Using fireworks in nonapproved areas — near dry grass and brush — and not having a proper way to extinguish a fire has been disastrous in the past and could be again this year. If you're open to just skipping fireworks, it's a great year to do that. But if you are going to use fireworks, you have to use them responsibly."

Contributing: Carter Williams

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