Emporians made up for not having an official fireworks show with a big evening of personal fireworks Saturday.
Emporia made the decision several weeks ago not to have an official fireworks show due to coronavirus.
There were a fair amount of fireworks-related complaints with 20 being reported by the Lyon County Emergency Communications Center after the legal discharge period ended at 11 pm. There were no fireworks-related injury calls to Lyon County dispatchers. Newman Regional Health has not said whether there were any people suffering fireworks-related injuries that went to the hospital for treatment Saturday.
Several small fires also developed, and all four have been confirmed as fireworks-related. Crews went to the intersection of South Rural and Copley shortly before 10 pm for a fire in the street. Roughly an hour later, crews were called to the intersection of East Copely and South Exchange for a trash can on fire. Two other small fires were reported after midnight, one for a trash can on fire at Ninth and East around 12:40 am and one for a Dumpster on fire at 736 East 12th around 1:30 am.
In all cases, Emporia Fire Battalion Chief Ryan Conley says the trash receptacles were damaged but not totally destroyed. At Ninth and East, a resident told firefighters of a second trash receptacle where fireworks had been thrown out. Firefighters were then able to get that doused before smoldering fireworks could catch fire. No injuries were reported.
Fireworks will be allowed from 10 am to 10 pm Sunday before the official sales and discharge period ends for the next 12 months.
Midnight Sunday: Emporia Fire responds to pair of calls on Fourth of July
Misuse of fireworks led to a pair of calls to the Emporia Fire Department on the Fourth of July.
Fire crews were called to the intersection of South Rural and Copely Avenue shortly before 10 pm for a fire in the street. Battalion Chief Ryan Conley tells KVOE News the fire was out upon crew’s arrival and it is suspected fireworks played a role, however, the exact details are not available at this time.
Roughly an hour later crews were called to the intersection of East Copely and South Exchange for a trash can on fire. Crews were able to extinguish the fire quickly upon arrival and Conley confirms the cause was due to “improper disposal of fireworks materials.”
Conley reminds all residents to properly dispose of any and all fireworks by submerging them in water before discarding them.
