Crime & Safety
Firefighters Respond to a Few Minor Fires Despite Fireworks Ban
Fireworks put area responders on alert during recent holiday.
Benicia firefighters responded to a few minor fires including one at Benicia State Park Thursday (July 4) night, said KC Smith, Division Chief with the Benicia Fire Department.
Firefighters suspect fireworks started the fire. Responders extinguished the fire quickly, according to Smith.
There were additional reports of some illegal fireworks use, said Smith. All fireworks are prohibited in Benicia. However, "nothing was confiscated," he said.
Overall the city fared well during the holiday, according to Smith. He credited city and fire officials for reminding the public about the fireworks ban.
Residents were encouraged to attend the city's annual Picnic in the Park and Waterfront Fireworks Show.
In neighboring Central Solano County, firefighters responded to a minor fire that started during the annual Independence Day Celebration on the Waterfront Thursday night, according to fire officials.
The minor fire was one of two local Suisun City fires, reported Chief Smith with the Suisin City Fire Department.
"We didn’t confiscate any illegal fireworks, and there were only two-related fireworks fires," said Smith.
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"Some of the tules ignited next to the slough," he said. "It was extinguished by fire units we had standing by at the fireworks' site."
Officials suspect the cause of another fire on the 1400 block of Humphrey Drive in Suisun City was caused by someone improperly discarding "safe and sane" fireworks. "They threw them into a dumpster," said Smith.
Cal Fire and other area officials recommend burned fireworks be discarded into a bucket of water for at least one night.
