CoCo Fire Investigators Find Smoke Bombs for Sale

Following a tip from a grandmother, investigators with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District seized 136 illegal smoke bombs for sale at a liquor store on the 1500 block of Monument Blvd. 

 The employees of the liquor cooperated with the investigators and claimed they thought the smoke bombs were legal, according to a press release from Contra Costa Fire. Fireworks are banned in Contra Costa County.  The liquor store employees said that a vendor had been hawking the fireworks for over a year. No formal charges have been made against the liquor store, the employees, or the vendor.

The tip came from a woman who told investigators that her 11-year-old grandson had bought smoke bombs at the liquor store. 

With the Fourth of July less than two months away and “safe and sane” fireworks soon to go on sale in nearby counties, the press release ended with a warning: “This should be a reminder to all parents and retail businesses that the possession or sale of ALL fireworks is illegal in Contra Costa County.  This includes “safe and sane” fireworks purchased outside of the county.  Possession of fireworks is a misdemeanor and possession of any fireworks that produce a loud bang or are capable of shooting up into the air is a felony.”