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SPRINGVILLE — Springville Fire Department was busy dealing with fires on Friday night.
In two hours, firemen were called to at least eight reported fires in Springville, Lt. David Caron of the Springville Police Department said.
While seven fires were reported in just 30 minutes, firemen also put out a couple of smaller fires that weren’t reported, according to Fire Chief Hank Clinton.
Clinton said most, if not all, of the fires were caused by a combination of aerial fireworks and wind. Firefighters were able to prevent flames from reaching a home, a barn, a shed and a family van.
In one instance, multiple people in a neighborhood were setting off fireworks and discarding the expended fireworks in a trailer.
“They told us they had doused the fireworks in water before tossing them into the trailer,” Clinton said. “The trailer was filled with wooden pallets and piles of used fireworks, but apparently not all of them were completely out.”
During all the craziness with the fires, we had medical calls where we were needed.
–Hank Clinton, Springville fire chief
While driving the trailer, the driver looked in his rear-view mirror and saw the trailer caught fire. The driver told officials he pulled over, disconnected the trailer and called for help.
“In order to be prepared for the Fourth of July fireworks dangers, the department had three crews in ‘brush trucks’ on patrol and a fourth crew and engine standing by in case they were needed,” Caron said. “They were.”
Clinton urged homeowners to use extreme caution while setting off fireworks and asked those setting off fireworks to stop using aerial displays when there’s even a slight breeze. Clinton said many fireworks sold to homeowners tend to malfunction, tip over, explode in or above the "launch tube" or send burning material sideways.
“We were busy. It was crazy last night and we were lucky. We managed to save a home, a barn and other property,” Clinton said. “And during all the craziness with the fires, we had medical calls where we were needed.”
