Teen Playing With Fireworks Sparked Grant Fire

ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA — A teenager from Manteca accidentally started a fire near the Altamont Pass in Alameda County near Livermore that prompted a massive multi-agency response and a major freeway closure earlier this month, authorities said.

The Grant Fire, which charred almost 500 acres in two days, was reported near the eastbound Interstate 580 west of Grant Line Road just after 5 p.m. on July 8, according to Cal Fire officials.

More than a dozen agencies got involved in the firefight, achieving full containment the following morning, according to a statement issued by Cal Fire and the Alameda County Fire Department.

The next day, Manteca police called the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office to tell them that two young people — an 18-year-old and a 17-year-old — went to the police department and admitted to accidentally sparking the blaze with "safe and sane" fireworks after their car broke down along the busy freeway.

Alameda County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Raymond Kelly said the 17-year-old boy was playing with the fireworks and accidentally touched off the fire. The teen tried to stomp out the flames but it quickly grew out of control and the duo left the scene. Kelly said the teenager, whose name will not be released, called 911 to report the fire.

"They came forward and did the right thing," Kelly said. "We definitely appreciate that."

Investigators will be pursuing charges with the Alameda County District Attorney's Office against the teenageer for recklessly and negligently causing a fire.

"It was a negligent act, a reckless act, but it wasn't an intentional act of arson," Kelly said. "It's a different section of the penal code."

Firefighters are reminding members of the public that using fireworks, even fireworks designated as safe and sane by the state, is illegal in all areas of unincorporated Alameda County.

Photos courtesy Alameda County Sheriff’s Office

Bay City News contributed to this report