Improperly discarded fireworks were to blame for a Woodland fire that damaged two homes early Wednesday morning.
Eric Zane, battalion chief for the Woodland Fire Department, said crews were alerted at about 1 a.m. to a fence fire in the 100 block of Buckeye Street that was exposing two houses to flames.
Firefighters arrived less than four minutes later to find the exterior of one of the homes well involved in flames, while a neighboring home showed damage from the fire’s radiant heat, Zane said.
“Fortunately, the fire was kept to the exterior of both homes negating any smoke or water damage to the interior,” Zane said. Damage to the homes was estimated at $30,000, with about $500,000 in property saved. No injuries were reported.
A subsequent investigation traced the fire to the area of one home’s trash bin, where the homeowner had disposed of spent fireworks after dousing them with water. Zane said spent fireworks and fireplace or barbecue ashes should always be stored in a metal can until they’re determined to be completely cooled.