The Manhattan Fire Department was busy over the Fourth of July holiday responding to 15 fireworks related fires. Fire Department crews responded to six dumpster/trash fires, seven grass fires and two structure fires. The first fire, a trash can fire, was reported Saturday, June 30, at 11:35 p.m. The discharge of fireworks is only allowed July 1 through July 4 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. (midnight). Attached to this press release is a spreadsheet detailing the individual fires that were caused by or suspected to be caused by fireworks.

On Tuesday, July 3, at 10:16 p.m., crews responded to 713 Dondee Drive for a fire on the roof of the 12-unit apartment building. The fire was contained to roughly a 12’ x 12’ area of the roof structure and caused approximately $35,000 damage to the structure. Two persons were treated and released at the scene for smoke inhalation and one occupant was displaced from their apartment. Fireworks are listed as the cause of the fire.

On Thursday, July 5, at 4:38 a.m., crews responded to 3704 Katherine Circle for a structure fire. Crews arrived on scene to find a single family dwelling with heavy fire on the front of the house and in the attic. The homeowners were not at home at the time of the fire. The loss is estimated at $250,000 to the structure and $90,000 to the contents. Fire investigators found that the fire started on the outside of the structure and suspect that fireworks are the cause of the fire.