Blazes keep firefighters busy July 4

Area firefighters responded to a series of suspicious blazes Independence Day that were possibly caused by fireworks.

Four different fires broke out in Cape Girardeau Tuesday night, and at least one was believed to have been caused by bottle rockets, which are illegal in town, said assistant fire chief Mark Hasheider.

A house fire at 420 S. Pacific St. was called around 11:56 p.m., he said. The uninhabited, two-and-a-half-story home was gutted, but there were no injuries.

Evidence suggested the blaze was caused by bottle rockets, some of which were found spent on the other side of the street, according to Hasheider.

"We're somewhat proving how dangerous those fireworks are," he said.

Two hours earlier around 9:18 p.m., fire fighters responded to a car fire in the 400 block of South Sprigg Street.

The non-operating white Cadillac was sitting behind JP Auto Sales, 401 S. Sprigg St., when it caught fire, according to police spokesman Jason Selzer.

The back window of the vehicle was broken out, and fire officials suspected a firework was tossed into the car, Hasheider said.

A few minutes later at 9:40 p.m., a two-car garage was set on fire in the 300 block of South Middle Street. The garage, which was gutted, was unattached to an uninhabited home and had no utilities working, Hasheider said.

Fireworks were also suspected in a 10:30 p.m. tree fire at Rand and Water streets, he said.

A Delta family escaped their home uninjured Tuesday morning when a fire broke out in their house. Fireworks were believed to be the cause.

In Scott County, fire personnel responded to a field fire in Kelso, Mo., Monday afternoon that was started by bottle rockets, according to Scott City fire Chief Jay Cassout.

Even when professionals use fireworks, events can go awry.

A Marble Hill, Mo., firefighter was assisting in setting off the city's firework celebration Tuesday night when the firework did not go off properly and struck him in the face, according to the Marble Hill Fire Department.

The firefighter was taken to a hospital where he was treated and released.

kmorrison@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127