Witnesses in Missoula say a house fire appeared to have been started by a malfunctioning firework.
MISSOULA, Mont. — Missoula fire officials said a house fire on Logan Court started after aerial fireworks malfunctioned near the home.
The Missoula Fire Department responded after several 911 callers reported flames coming from the roof. Officials said the call first came in as Christian Drive before dispatchers updated the location to Logan Court while crews were on the way.
Law enforcement confirmed everyone got out of the house before firefighters arrived. As crews reached the area, they saw heavy smoke and flames.
Firefighters found about 75 percent of the front and side of the home and the middle section of the roof burning, according to fire officials. They also found the garage door open with two vehicles inside, but crews kept the fire from moving into the garage and protected nearby homes.
Firefighters got the fire under control, put out remaining hot spots and then returned the property to the homeowners.
Investigators said witness statements and evidence from the scene showed the fire was caused by malfunctioning aerial fireworks. According to statements gathered at the scene, the fireworks moved sideways instead of going up and went into a large juniper shrub next to the home.
People at the home reported they could not find the firework in the dense shrub. Fire officials said flames showed up in the shrub about 10 to 15 minutes later, and the homeowner tried to put them out with water but could not stop the fire.
The department described mature juniper shrubs as highly combustible, and officials said the fire spread quickly from the shrub to the front porch and garage area of the house.
"While this incident could have been prevented by abstaining from using fireworks, we send sincere condolences to the family who lost so much in this fire. We are grateful that everyone made it out safely and no one was injured and we recognize the emotional impact of losing a home and cherished belongings," fire officials said.
The fire happened during a busy holiday stretch for responders in Missoula. Between July 3 and July 5, Missoula County 911 received 139 fireworks-related calls, and the Missoula Fire Department responded to three fireworks-related fires, including this house fire and two wildland fires.
Originally published on montanarightnow.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
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