ROGERS -- Fireworks caught two Rogers homes on fire early Saturday, burning down one home, injuring a firefighter and damaging the exterior of another home, said Fire Chief Tom Jenkins on Monday.
"These are the most serious firework-related incidents I have seen as fire chief," Jenkins said.
Fast Fact
Fireworks And Fires
More fires are reported on the Fourth of July than any other day nationwide. Fireworks account for two of five of those fires — more than any other cause.
Source: National Fire Protection Association
At A Glance
Costly Firework Blazes
In 2011, fireworks caused about 17,800 reported fires nationwide. That included 1,200 structure fires, 400 vehicle fires and 16,300 outside and other fires. The fires resulted in $32 million in direct property damage.
Source: National Fire Protection Association
The homes were not close to each other, and firefighters were stretched thin at times. Water supply was not sufficient for all firefighters' equipment during one blaze, according to a fire log released Monday.
One fire started at 2418 W. Mulberry St. at 12:15 a.m. Saturday. About 10 minutes later, firefighters were called to a fire at 804 N. C St.
No one inside the homes were injured, but firefighter Derek Reaves suffered second-degree burns on his face while fighting the fire on C Street, Jenkins said.
Fireworks seemingly ignited two trash cans at the Mulberry Street house. A resident told firefighters he could hear fireworks hitting the side of his house before he saw the fire, according to a report.
The flames caught the exterior wall on fire and ran into the attic, Jenkins said.
No one was injured.
The fire was contained to the outside of the house with estimated damages running a few thousand dollars, Jenkins said.
The house, owned by Eileen K. Wilkerson, is valued at about $80,250, according to county property records.
Across town, firefighters arrived to find an older, single-story home on C Street with fire shooting through the roof and coming out the doors and windows. The fire burned so hotly one fire truck had minor heat damage to the light covers on the passenger side, according to a report.
The fire started when people used an adjacent lot to shoot off fireworks, Jenkins said. Firefighters are not sure whether the fire was accidental or intentionally set. He didn't know who was responsible for setting off the fireworks.
The vacant home was undergoing renovations but was destroyed by the fire, Jenkins said.
The property was valued at $54,500, according to county property records. The home's guardians are listed as Patricia Herz and Ralph Herz.
Firefighters were stretched thin while fighting the two fires but still responded quickly to both structure fires while also answering medical emergencies, Jenkins said.
Rogers is the only city known to have homes burn from fireworks over the weekend, but across Northwest Arkansas, fire departments put out grass fires linked to fireworks, fire chiefs said.
Rogers firefighters put out at least two small grass fires linked to fireworks over the weekend, according to a report. Fayetteville had three grass fires that were probably caused by fireworks, said David Dayringer, Fayetteville fire chief.
"If you let (a firework) get away from you, then it can be trouble," Dayringer said.
Dayringer is also the president of the Northwest Arkansas Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association. He said he hasn't noticed any year-to-year change in the number of fires caused by fireworks during the Fourth of July.
No fire department called the state fire marshal for an investigation into fires caused by fireworks this year, said Capt. Lindsey Williams, state fire marshal.
Neither Williams nor the Arkansas Fire Academy track the statewide number of fires started by fireworks, but the issue is serious enough that cities, including Fayetteville and Rogers, have restricted the type of fireworks permitted during the Fourth of July, according to ordinances. The cities don't allow the use of bottle rockets or aerial firework devices attached to a stick.
Jenkins said he thinks the ordinance currently in place for Rogers is a good one. Fireworks have not been a problem in the past, he said. Mostly, Rogers residents use fireworks safely.
"It's difficult to legislate good responsibility to people who choose not to follow the rules and use fireworks in an unsafe manner," Jenkins said.
NW News on 07/08/2014