INDIANAPOLIS - Some Indiana communities planned to hold Fourth of July fireworks shows Wednesday night, while others canceled their displays because of the increased risk of fire from a persistent drought - a risk that proved dangerously real in Indianapolis.
Firefighters in the state's largest city blamed fireworks for at least two fires this week during a seven-day ban on the use of personal fireworks.
Investigators said witnesses told them sparks from fireworks landed on the lawn of the home on the northwest side early Tuesday and caught the grass on fire. The fire spread to the deck and the house. Heavy smoke and flames were sweeping through the house when fire crews arrived at about 12:30 a.m., WRTV-TV reported. No one was home at the time.
Earlier this week, police arrested two teenagers who they said caused a grass fire by igniting Roman candles Monday in an eastside neighborhood, The Indianapolis Star reported.
Mayor Greg Ballard issued a disaster emergency declaration Saturday, which banned personal fireworks. But the fireworks show in downtown Indianapolis was still scheduled to be held Wednesday night.
John Maxwell, who coordinates the display for Zambelli Fireworks of New Castle, Pa., told WIBC-FM that Indianapolis' show is the only one in the country shot from the top of a high-rise building, so debris has already cooled before it hits the ground.
Eighty-four of Indiana's 92 counties were under burn bans on Wednesday, many of which cover personal use of fireworks.
Numerous counties, cities and towns have postponed or canceled fireworks shows and urged residents to refrain from using fireworks.
The state fire marshal's office said that in areas where personal fireworks are still permitted, they can only be used with permission on private property, or at designated sites.
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