Most people think fireworks start fires when they land on a roof or explode near a home. An errant blast that was supposed to go into the air, got misdirected towards the house or maybe fell on the roof.
That is not always the case.
How This Fire Actually Started
In this situation, fireworks were disposed of in a trash can along the side of the home. They were not fully extinguished. Instead of being soaked with water, they were thrown into the trash where they later reignited, possibly hours later.
At some point after disposal, the fireworks sparked again and caught the contents of the can on fire.
How the Fire Spread
The fire started along the side of the home near an alley. From there, it spread into the structure and began affecting interior areas. This home in Wayne Pa was a common twin, with the can located on the side of the property where the alley would be leading into the yard. The dining room sustained direct fire damage, along with the bedroom located above it.
While the fire itself was somewhat contained to those areas, smoke traveled throughout the entire home.
Smoke Damage Is Often Worse Than Expected
Even when fire damage appears limited, smoke can move quickly and spread through:
- walls
- ceilings
- HVAC systems
- open structural cavities
In this case, smoke impacted the entire home. That means cleaning and restoration were required far beyond the areas that burned.
Fireworks Can Reignite
One of the biggest takeaways from this situation is that fireworks do not always go out when you think they do.
They can:
- retain heat internally
- reignite after being disposed of
- start fires well after they are used
Proper disposal requires fully soaking fireworks in water before throwing them away. Skipping this step can lead to serious damage.
Fire and Smoke Damage Cleanup
Our role in this project was to address both the fire and smoke damage throughout the home.
This included:
- removal of damaged materials
- detailed cleaning of affected surfaces
- smoke odor treatment
- full documentation of the loss
We worked directly with the homeowner’s insurance company to ensure the claim was properly handled and that the scope of work reflected the true extent of the damage.
Getting the Home Back to Normal
Fires like this can be unexpected and overwhelming, especially when the damage spreads beyond the initial source. Proper cleanup and documentation are critical to getting the home restored and the claim processed correctly.
Our goal is always to move the process forward efficiently and get homeowners back into their space as quickly as possible.
In Conclusion
Fireworks do not have to land on a home to cause a fire. Improper disposal can lead to reignition and serious damage.
Taking the extra step to fully extinguish them can prevent situations like this.