Charred wood, boarded windows and tarp remain after illegally discharged fireworks started a fire that led to damage estimated at over $70,000 in property damage at 733 Kent Oaks Mews in Kentlands on July 14.
Fire officials said illegal fireworks caused a fire at a Kentlands home on July 14, resulting in damage estimated at around $70,000.
Firefighters were called to 733 Kent Oaks Mews at 10:45 p.m. Saturday night for a fire in the detached garage of a single-family home, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesman and Assistant Chief Scott Graham.
“About 65 firefighters on the scene brought the fire under control in 40 minutes,” Graham said.
Three lines were used to fight the fire: two to protect the structures around the burning garage, and one to fight the fire in the garage itself. Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control and stayed on the scene for three hours.
No civilians or firefighters were injured in the fire, and although several exposures around the site of the fire incurred minor damages, no residential structures were deemed uninhabitable.
The home where the fire occurred was one of several on the 2011 Kentlands House and Garden Tour.
Montgomery County’s Fire and Explosive investigators determined that the fire was caused by fireworks, Graham said. He was not able to comment further on the investigation on Monday.
“The law in Montgomery County is clear, and the safest, and smartest, way to enjoy fireworks is to enjoy one of the many public displays in the area,” said Fire Chief Bowers.
According to Montgomery County Fire Safety Code: Section 22-70, it is illegal for any person to manufacture, possess, store, offer for sale, sell, discharge, use, burn or explode any fireworks in Montgomery County. Penalties for violations of the law include a fine of up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail.