Spent Fireworks Ignite Garage Fire Early Friday: Graham Fire

PUYALLUP, WA — Improperly discarded fireworks are suspected of starting a fire early Friday that ultimately destroyed a detached garage at a home in the South Hill area, according to Graham Fire & Rescue officials.

Graham Fire & Rescue crews were reportedly dispatched to the home in the 18100-block of 84th Avenue East around 2 a.m. July 5. When firefighters arrived on scene, they found the rear of the detached garage engulfed in flame, officials said in a Facebook post.

Crews went to work and quickly doused the blaze, containing the fire to the garage and preventing it from spreading to the home. The residents of the home were sleeping when the fire broke out, officials said, but no injuries were reported.

Fire investigators later said they believe fireworks that were used earlier that night ignited a board before setting the whole garage on fire.

Officials reiterated the importance of sending used fireworks through a water bucket before discarding them into garbage receptacles with other trash.

For more information on fireworks safety, including how to properly dispose of used fireworks, visit www.wsp.wa.gov/fireworks.