Fireworks to blame for loss of home in Ephrata
Grant County's Sheriff's Office/courtesy photoFirefighters battle Wednesday's fire in Ephrata that was reportedly caused by fireworks.
Grant County's Sheriff's Office/courtesy photo Firefighters battle Wednesday's fire in Ephrata that was reportedly caused by fireworks.
Grant County's Sheriff's Office/courtesy photo Firefighters battle Wednesday's fire in Ephrata that was reportedly caused by fireworks.
EPHRATA — Fireworks have been pinpointed as the cause of a Fourth of July fire in Ephrata that destroyed a residential home.
The Ephrata Fire Department was dispatched to the fire on L Street Northeast about 3:40 p.m. Law enforcement arrived at the scene before firefighters and a residence at 20 L Street Northeast had fire in its roof and a storage unit and attached carport were already on fire at 26 L Street Northeast, according to EFD Chief Jeremy Burns.
Through investigating the fire it was learned the residents at 26 L St. were lighting off fireworks in their backyard before the fire broke out. Burns said they were lighting off “common fireworks” that are legal in Washington and met the requirements for fireworks in Ephrata.
“They were lighting off fireworks with dad there. Dad and son go inside, a few of the kids continue to light off fireworks and then they leave, they do not notice any signs of fire whatsoever,” Burns explained.
Fireworks or fireworks debris reportedly got into a nearby yard debris pile, smoldered there for a short amount of time, ignited and spread to the nearby structures. The EFD received mutual aid from Grant County Fire District No. 13 in combating the fire, but the structure at 20 L St. was a complete loss due to heavy fire and water damage. The residents at 26 L St. were able to return home Wednesday night. One dog died in the fire, but there were no other reported injuries.
Burns says the investigation concluded the fire was accidental and he does not expect criminal charges or citations to be handed down.
“There won’t be charges on our side unless some stories change and we find out that they were negligent in reporting the fire, but that doesn’t appear to be the case,” Burns said. “They were lighting off fireworks within the given timelines of the State of Washington RCWs (Revised Code of Washington), as well as meeting the local ordinance of no aerial fireworks.”
Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.