By Wes Woods II
The San Bernardino County Sun
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Illegal fireworks being stored and used in the garage are believed to be the cause of a two-alarm Sunday morning apartment fire that displaced three families living in the two-story duplex and caused about $25,000 in damage.
“I’m being informed there were illegal fireworks stored and being used in the area of the carport” where the fire was believed to be started, said San Bernardino Fire Department captain Jason Serrano.
Serrano said the fire was reported at 1:25 a.m. at the 1300 block of North Cedar Street,
Twenty-four firefighters arrived within five minutes and 30 more firefighters joined the fight when the fire was became a two-alarm fire.The first firefighters on the scene noticed heavy smoke and flames coming from the rear apartment building located behind a single family home, Serrano said.
He said explosions and debris shooting in the air were found to be illegal fireworks, Serrano said “At the same time we had multiple (power) lines down ... it was a very lively scene there when we first arrived.”
The firefighters were able to get the majority of the carport fire out and then make directed them efforts on the apartment building, which sustained damage in the attic, Serrano said.
“I would say that apartment unit was a complete loss,” he said. The apartment unit on the first floor sustained water and smoke damage but a majority of its contents were saved, Serrano said.
There were no injuries to residents or firefighters, Serrano said. The fire was under control in about 40 minutes.
Approximately 12 to 15 residents who were displaced fire spent the night at the homes of other family members. San Bernardino allows the use of safe and sane fireworks, but not illegal fireworks.Meanwhile, safe and sane fireworks are legal in the city of San Bernardino but illegal fireworks are not.
“If you’re using illegal fireworks that’s against the law,” Serrano said. “You should not have them in your possession."Safe and sane firework sales begin today, Serrano said. “We do have fire prevention people out inspecting booths today(Sunday),” he said.
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