Fireworks Cause House Fire In Pleasanton; No Arrests Or Citations

PLEASANTON, CA — The fence of a Pleasanton home caught fire Monday night due to improperly extinguished fireworks, the Pleasanton Police Department confirmed to Patch. Crews were able to extinguish the fire quickly, and no one was injured, the department said.

The fire broke out around 11:15 p.m. near the 5000 block of Hidden Creek Court, PPD spokesperson Teri Yan told Patch. Because only property damage occurred, Yan said that the owner did not receive a citation, even though possession, transport, or use of fireworks remains illegal in Pleasanton.

The department’s dispatch received 45 fireworks-related calls from July 1-4, Yan said, but no arrests or citations were given.

"Depending on the circumstances, officers might use the opportunity to educate individuals about the use of fireworks," Yan told Patch when asked why no citations or arrests were made.

Fireworks, even Fire Marshal-approved ‘safe and sane’ fireworks, are illegal all over the Tri-Valley except for Dublin, where ‘safe and sane’ fireworks are legal but tightly regulated. Two small dumpster and garbage fires broke out in Dublin Monday, Alameda County Fire Department Deputy Chief Ryan Nishimito told Patch. Aside from that, no property damage or injuries were reported.

Fires caused by fireworks were reported all over the East Bay. The Alameda County Sheriff's Office said it responded to 160 calls related to illegal fireworks, and seized over 400 pounds of illegal fireworks.

The Contra Costa Fire Protection District said that its firefighters responded to 30 fires Monday, nine of which were confirmed to be caused by fire. The district responded to 70 total fires throughout the weekend.

Early Monday, a vegetation fire confirmed to be caused by fireworks burned 6.5 acres before it was stopped. A witness told CBS News that they saw someone setting off fireworks from a car, which started what came to be known as the ‘Driftwood Fire.’

Aside from the fire, and a car toppling a telephone pole on Foothill Road resulting in an hours-long power outage for hundreds of customers, July 4 was a celebratory affair in Pleasanton. The Alameda County Fair launched a “fireworks spectacular” celebration and large concert, while the Pleasanton Community Concert Band played their annual Independence Day concert at Lions Wayside Park.