Fireworks suspected in July 4th fires that damage Fullerton, Santa Ana properties

Fireworks celebrating Independence Day may have caused fires that damaged homes in Fullerton and Santa Ana.

In Santa Ana, a a blaze was reported just before 1 a.m. on Monday, July 4, on the 1100 block of South Flower Street, with investigators determining a firework had sparked flames — charring an exterior shed and a large cactus in the backyard.

Crews extinguishd the fire in about five minutes and prevented it from spreading to neighboring houses, Orange County Fire Authority officials said. A person was examined for injuries by paramedics but declined to go to a hospital.

A deadly explosion — a painful reminder of damage July 4th fireworks can cause

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In Fullerton, residents reported fireworks had launched shortly before a blaze engulfed a garage on the 1000 block of La Mesa Drive, Fullerton Deputy Chief Jon Fugitt said.

Neighbors aimed garden hoses at the flames pouring out of the building’s entrance and up into its attic as firefighters arrived, as seen in footage recorded by news outlet OC Hawk.

Firefighters cut a hole in the garage’s roof and sprayed water into the structure. The fire spread to a tree and at least one vehicle before it was extinguished. No injuries were reported.

In Orange County, only the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, Stanton, Villa Park, and Westminster allow people to use fireworks, and they are restricted to those deemed “safe and sane.”

Pyrotechnics that explode, rise in the air or move about the ground are not legal.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Source: Orange County Register