Broken Arrow Fire on alert after responding to 3 house fires on July 4 | News

BROKEN ARROW, Oklahoma — Broken Arrow Fire Department is on alert for additional fires after three house fires broke out Thursday, one of which was caused by fireworks.

Battalion Chief Rusty Schaefer said this is a concern for the department, even though fireworks are not allowed within city limits on any day of the year except July 3 and 4.

“People spend a lot of money on fireworks and this is the only time of the year they can do it. Some people set it off on the third day, but many waited until the fourth because, of course, that’s the big day,” Schaefer said.

Schaefer said no fireworks were used when the storm hit on July 4.

“Some people said I bought all these fireworks and I’d like to keep them, but as of today you’re not allowed to set them off within the city limits of Broken Arrow,” Schaefer said.

Schaefer said the department issued 22 subpoenas on July 4.

“On the people who were shooting, whether they were shooting in places they shouldn’t be, or whether they were shooting before or after work,” Schaefer said.

Schaefer said most fireworks-related house fires are accidental and that a common cause is people doing their due diligence and cleaning up after fireworks celebrations.

“They throw it in the trash can and then often put that trash can near their house or even in their garage,” Schaefer said.

Schaefer said that’s exactly what happened to the house they were called to on Thursday.

“It was in the garage and started again,” Schaefer said.

Schaefer advised going one step further and putting the spent fireworks in the water.

“If you know they’re outside and you think they’re outside, put the trash can at the curb. Don’t put it under something, don’t put it next to your house. Don’t put it next to a shed or in your garage,” Schaefer said.