Fireworks illegally set off on a Texas bridge caused a large fire on the Fourth of July, necessitating the response of multiple fire agencies to tame the blaze.
Units from the Harker Heights, Killeen, Salado, and Central Bell Fire Departments responded to the area of the Stillhouse Bridge over Stillhouse Hollow Lake around 10 p.m. on Monday.
The Harker Heights Fire Department released more information on the fire Tuesday morning, saying two of its units responded on Monday night.
“Initial findings were approximately three (3) acres on fire and additional units were requested through the activation of the West Side Strike Team, which ultimately brought units from Salado, Killeen, and Central Bell FD’s,” Harker Heights FD said.
“There were no structures damaged or injuries sustained during this incident. All units returned to service at 12:35 a.m.” the statement added.
Around 8 a.m. Tuesday, Harker Heights police spokesman Lawrence Stewart said crews had returned to the bridge and were “mopping” up.
The City of Killeen posted a photo of the fire on Facebook around 11 p.m. The caption advised residents to stay clear of the area and stated that the fire followed reports of fireworks being set off there.
“Right now, KFD has all 10 suppression units out of their stations patrolling their respective districts and stopping any fireworks usage that they witness, handling fireworks warnings. Our fire chief and two other Chief officers are in town doing the same, as well as four fire investigators issuing citations. Multiple citations have been issued already,” the caption reads.
“No home structures have caught on fire in Killeen, but we have had well over a dozen grass fires and one fence caught on fire due to the fireworks,” it states.
Fireworks are illegal in Killeen, a central Texas town between Austin and Waco. People who set off fireworks are subjected to a $2,000 fine.
“A reminder that fireworks of any type are not only dangerous, but are illegal in the City of Killeen,” the police department said in a reminder to the public ahead of Independence Day.
According to Bell County, where Killeen is located, there were 600 calls made to 911 throughout the county from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Monday. That figure is double the number of 911 calls on a typical shift, and 450 calls came in from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.