Fireworks remain one of the most visually stunning ways for children and families to celebrate Independence Day on July 4 — but they aren’t without their dangers.
In the ramp-up to the Fourth of July on Tuesday, fire and rescue departments around Northern Virginia posted warnings about safe fireworks handling to their social media accounts. Still, there were several fires across the region on the holiday.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department said it spent its Independence Day battling nine outside fires, two house fires, and one apartment fire.
“While the cause of these fires is unknown, we can not stress enough the importance of properly disposing of fireworks. Completely soak fireworks in a bucket of water overnight before disposing,” the department tweeted.
A fire in the 12300 block of Firestone Court in Fair Oaks hospitalized two people, the department said. Another, in the 650 block of Stuart Court in Herndon, hospitalized one person.
Arlington Fire and EMS said one animal is dead and four other needed to be rescued from a July 4 structure fire in the 6500 block of Washington Boulevard. That fire remains under investigation.
Stafford County Fire and Rescue said it dealt with an Independence Day blaze along Smelters Trace Road near Woodcutters Road caused by improperly discarded spent fireworks.
The fire there was seen on the roof and side of a family’s home. Four people were inside at the time, but nobody was injured. Three other people from an adjacent building were also displaced. All seven are getting assistance from the American Red Cross.
Feature photo courtesy Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
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