3 kids playing with fireworks cited for brush fire; STGnews Videocast, Photo Gallery

ST. GEORGE – Firefighters responded to a brush fire in a St. George gated community Tuesday afternoon that was reportedly caused by three juveniles playing with fireworks.

Brush fire in the Stone Cliff gated community, St. George, Utah, May 26, 2015 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News
Brush fire in the Stone Cliff gated community, St. George, Utah, May 26, 2015 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News

Shortly after 1:30 p.m., reports were received of a brush fire in a ravine close to some homes at the north end of the Stone Cliff community.

“Even though it’s just spring, it’s really dry out, and the possibility of brush fires or wildland fires is quite extensive,” St. George Fire Chief Robert Stoker said.

Neighbors with garden hoses were able to contain the blaze and keep it from spreading up into the yards of homes until firefighters got there, Stoker said.

Stone Cliff Maintenance Supervisor Mike Nerdin said he received a call about the fire after it was noticed and responded to the location.

“Got up here, and all the children involved were trying to put it out themselves,” he said. “By that time, there was other people here telling them to get out of there.”

Brush fire in the Stone Cliff gated community, St. George, Utah, May 26, 2015 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News
Brush fire in the Stone Cliff gated community, St. George, Utah, May 26, 2015 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News

The St. George Fire Department responded with three engines and two brush trucks and were able to knock the fire down without any significant damage resulting, other than some minor damage to landscaping and bushes.

“Upon investigation with the Police Department, we did find there was three juveniles that were using some fireworks down in the ravine, is what caused the fire,” Stoker said. “The Police Department has cited those three individuals.”

When a fire is human-caused, the individuals responsible can be held accountable for the resulting damage, Stoker said. He urged parents to keep track of their children during these vacation months when school is out.

Brush fire in the Stone Cliff gated community, St. George, Utah, May 26, 2015 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News
Brush fire in the Stone Cliff gated community, St. George, Utah, May 26, 2015 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News

“Keep an eye on your kids,” Stoker said. “We usually have an increase in our calls this time of year. With school being out, kids get kind of bored and look for something to do. Luckily, (there was) no damage to any structures. Again, if there is damage to structures or personal property, then those individuals that are responsible for the fire can be charged civilly for those costs. So, again, just a warning to parents and individuals. Just be careful.”

The Fire Department’s response costs will be calculated and forwarded to the city attorney in connection with the incident, Stoker said.

This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

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3 Comments

  • Real Life May 27, 2015 at 8:10 am

    Idiot kids, or idiot parents?

  • sagemoon May 27, 2015 at 8:21 am

    Dumb kids. I imagine an adult either bought illegal fireworks or irresponsibly kept last year’s fireworks in a place his/her kid shouldn’t have known about. Cite the dummy the kids got the fireworks from.

  • DB May 27, 2015 at 3:26 pm

    School’s been out for less than a week and they’re “bored” already?

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