The state Fire Marshal’s office has ruled that three out of four house fires over the July 4th holiday stemmed from fireworks. The fires resulted in an estimated total of $1 million in damage.
One fire involved devices on a roof, and another resulted from spent fireworks in a trash can.
The fires were reported in greater Wilmington, Camden, New Castle, and Pike Creek. The cause of the Pike Creek fire remains under investigation and resulted in an estimated $500,000 in damage to townhouses.
Fireworks in the form of sparklers and related items are now legal in Delaware.
However, illegal aerial and other fireworks are widely available in neighboring states. The use of home fireworks accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic and seems to have continued into 2023.
Click here for the state government website, which offers details of the fires.
