Discarded Fireworks Blamed For Sparking Fire That Caused $1.2M In Damage To Rockville Home

ROCKVILLE, MD — Discarded fireworks are the likely cause of a fire that resulted in an estimated $1.25 million in damage to a home Tuesday night in Rockville, according to the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service.

More than 75 fire personnel responded around 10:45 p.m., on Tuesday, for the report of a fire at a 5,000-square-foot home the 15100 block of Rosecroft Road. The fire was extinguished by 11:30 p.m.

The fire displaced three adults, one child and one pet. One firefighter was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, but no other injuries were reported.

Investigators determined that a plastic bag full of discarded fireworks, which were purchased outside of Montgomery County, ignited cardboard and plastic fireworks, according to MCFRS. The fire spread to nearby shrubbery and the home siding, as well other exterior combustibles.

"This year, we have seen several fires, small and big, that have been started by discarded, used fireworks," acting Fire Chief John Kinsley told reporters during a Wednesday afternoon news conference. "Once that firework goes off and you see the display, it is still hot. It is still contained in a combustable cardboard container. We've had folks, rightfully so, collect them, put them somewhere — a paper bag or paper box — put them someplace next to their house. If there is an occasion that there's a combustible area and spent fireworks, while they're still hot, will ignite a fire."

In the case of the Rosecroft Road fire, investigators believe that spent fireworks had been collected and placed near to combustable materials next to the house.

"It caught the exterior of the house on fire, spread to the roof and destroyed this home," Kinsley said. "So it does occur on a frequent basis."

Montgomery County firefighters extinguished a second, smaller fire on Tuesday night that was started by discarded fireworks.

"Fortunately, this occurred at or near the garage of the home, where there was a sprinkler system," Kinsley said. "So the sprinkler system controlled the fire and limited damage to $1,000."

Pete Piringer, a MCFRS spokesman, said that the department had about a half dozen or so other firework-related incidents that it responded to on Tuesday.

Kinsley told reporters that the department wanted to use these incidents to remind the public that all fireworks are illegal in Montgomery County and in Maryland.

"It is frustrating for us because we spent our careers trying to not only respond to prevent injury and prevent fires, but we see little children that are playing with sparklers and they get burned," Kinsley said. "Or we see other kids that are playing with firecrackers and they don't throw them fast and they explode and they cause traumatic injuries to their hand. That's very sad, very frustrating."

ICYMI (July 4th ~10p) Rockville/Norbeck house fire, 75 @mcfrs FFs responded, 1 family displaced, ~$1.25M damaged & discarded fireworks likely cause https://t.co/sUFath5hyR pic.twitter.com/ult4ti1kEe
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) July 5, 2023