Fireworks were the suspected culprit in a number of small fires across metro Denver in the latter hours of the Fourth of July.
In Aurora, grass fires and a fire at a home located in the 3400 block of South Laredo Court on Monday were believed to have been ignited by fireworks.
In a tweet about the house fire’s cause, the South Metro Fire Rescue said it was “likely due to fireworks improperly discarded.”
SMFR quickly extinguished a fire on S. Teller Court that started on the outside of the house. The fire is likely due to fireworks improperly discarded. Please soak your fireworks in a bucket of water overnight.
— South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO)
West Metro Fire said in a tweet Monday that it has “responded to more than a dozen fires today — the majority since 4:30 p.m. — caused by fireworks.”
One of those was a small grass fire near Kipling Street and Alameda Avenue, likely the result of fireworks, according to West Metro Fire.
Our crews tonight on a small grass fire- near Kipling and Alameda. We’ve responded to more than a dozen fires today- the majority since 4:30pm- caused by fireworks. No injuries and no damage to structures- so far. Please help us by preventing any more fires this evening.
— WestMetroFire (@WestMetroFire)
South Metro Fire Rescue and the Aurora Fire Department both dealt with a brush fire behind the 3800 block of South Himalaya Way. South Metro Fire said via Twitter that winds were making this situation “especially challenging and dangerous.”
South Metro Fire Rescue added that fireworks continued to be fired off in the area “despite the ongoing fire.”
Update: Firefighters continue to battle this aggressive wildland fire. No injuries have been reported. Fireworks continue to be fired off in the area despite this dangerous situation.
— South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO)
At 8:48 p.m., the fire was completely contained, according to South Metro Fire Rescue.
Witnesses saw aerial fireworks over the Spring Creek Park open space prior to the start of the fire, which began to “rapidly spread” shortly thereafter, officials said.
Rainy conditions throughout the evening likely played a role in curtailing the spread of these fires, all of which have been contained.
Update: Witnesses saw aerial fireworks over the Spring Creek Park open space just before the fire started and rapidly spread. Several crews from Wildland Team and SMFR remain on scene extinguishing hot spots.
— South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO)
