Fireworks blamed for Bazetta Township house fire

Bazetta Township investigators say quick thinking by a neighbor and residents, along with rapid response from local fire departments, prevented fire from spreading through a home late Friday.

Firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire on Stonegate Drive around midnight. Township Police officers were the first to arrive, reporting smoke and flames visible on the side of the home. Residents and police had already attempted to extinguish the fire with an extinguisher.

Firefighters from the township and neighboring departments searched for places where the flames had spread and put out remaining hot spots.

Investigators determined the fire was caused by fireworks discarded in a trash can around 10:30 p.m. The trash can, located next to the home's garage, ignited, and the flames began to spread along the garage wall.

  Bazetta Fire Department

"Had it not been for the quick actions of a neighbor who noticed the fire and alerted this family, they may have lost their home," according to a post on the Bazetta Fire Department’s Facebook page.

Fire officials emphasized the critical importance of having a fire extinguisher readily available in homes and urged proper disposal of used fireworks.

Proper Fireworks Disposal Recommended:

• Fire departments recommend the following method for safely disposing of used fireworks:
• Completely submerge spent fireworks in a bucket of water for at least 24 hours.
• After soaking, place the thoroughly wet fireworks in a plastic bag to prevent drying out.
• Dispose of the bagged fireworks in your regular household trash.

The Bazetta Fire Department was assisted by the Howland Fire Department, Cortland City Fire Department, and Youngstown Air Reserve Station Fire Department, for their assistance.