TAUNTON — Police Chief Edward Walsh and Fire Chief Timothy Bradshaw report that the Taunton Police and Fire Departments responded to a home last night after a man set off several illegal fireworks, causing injuries to himself and igniting a structure fire.
On Tuesday, July 2, at approximately 5:45 p.m., police and fire responded to 352 Middleboro Ave. on a report of a structure fire.
Engines 1, 3 and 9, along with Ladder 3 and Car 2 arrived on scene to find the exterior of the home had caught fire and was smoldering.
Upon arrival, first responders found a 24-year-old man in the process of extinguishing a fire on the home’s deck.
An on scene investigation indicated that the man was building wooden racks to hold plastic mortar tubes that he’d then fill with fireworks. During that process, it is believed that a spark from a power tool he was using ignited one of the fireworks that was in the rack, which then ignited several other fireworks.
The fireworks then began to go off on the deck, which lit the siding of the house on fire. The fire did not spread to inside the home.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene, along with the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad, which removed and properly disposed of the fireworks.
The man suffered burns to his hands. He declined medical assistance at the scene.
“Thankfully this resident was not seriously injured and the fire did not extend into the home,” Chief Bradshaw said. “This situation is exactly why residents are required by law to leave fireworks displays to the professionals. With the holiday tomorrow, we remind everyone to please celebrate responsibly.”
The Taunton Police Detective Division and the State Fire Marshall’s Office are actively investigating this incident.
Taunton police and fire would like to remind residents that the use of fireworks is illegal in the state of Massachusetts, and that to prevent injury and structure fires, residents should only attend celebrations put on by a licensed professional.
Anyone who has questions about fireworks or fireworks safety should contact the Taunton Fire Department at 508-824-4024 or the Taunton Police Department at 508-824-7522.
###
