State Police: Penn Township house fire caused by fireworks
Police warning about fireworks safety heading into summer
Updated: 6:42 PM EDT May 30, 2023
State Police: Penn Township house fire caused by fireworks
Police warning about fireworks safety heading into summer
Updated: 6:42 PM EDT May 30, 2023
STATE POLICE. THE GOOD NEWS IS NO ONE WAS HURT IN THAT FIRE, BUT AS WE HEAD INTO SUMMER, STATE POLICE SAY IT’S IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO BE ALERT WHEN IT COMES TO FIREWORKS. AND SOME OF THE CHANGES RECENTLY MADE TO STATE LAW. STATE POLICE SAY THE DAMAGE TO THIS HOME ON DOLLY LANE IN PENN TOWNSHIP WAS CAUSED BY FIREWORKS. THE FIRE BREAKING OUT LATE MONDAY NIGHT. CREWS WERE ABLE TO GET IT OUT BEFORE IT DESTROYED THE HOME. INVESTIGATORS ARE STILL WORKING TO DETERMINE EXACTLY HOW THE FIRE SPARKED, BUT CONFIRMED FIREWORKS WERE INVOLVED. STATE POLICE SAY AS WE HEAD INTO SUMMER, IT’S IMPORTANT TO BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS. WHEN THE FIREWORKS ARE OVER, YOU STILL HAVE THESE IMPLEMENTS THAT ARE HOT AND FLAMMABLE. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO COOL THEM OFF AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SCENE OR THE AREA THAT YOU’RE SHOOTING OFF THE FIREWORKS IS SAFE? LATE LAST YEAR, LEGISLATORS MADE SOME CHANGES TO THE STATE’S FIREWORKS LAW, ONE OF THEM BEING YOU CAN’T SET OFF FIREWORKS WITHIN 150FT OF A BUILDING OR VEHICLE. THERE’S VERY FEW PLACES WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS THAT YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE 150FT AWAY FROM ANY OTHER STRUCTURES. OTHER CHANGES INCLUDE UPDATED TIMES ON WHEN FIREWORKS CAN BE SET OFF AND MAKING IT ILLEGAL TO SET THEM OFF WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL. THEY ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN ISSUE A CITATION FOR. THAT CITATION COULD BE AS MUCH AS $500 A WARNING AS WE HEAD INTO SUMMER WITH THE GOAL OF KEEPING EVERYONE SAFE. JUST TRY AND BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR AND BE CAREFUL WHILE YOU’RE OUT THERE ENJOYING YOURSELF DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. THAT FIRE STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION. AGAIN, EVERYONE WAS ABLE TO GET OUT. OKAY. WE HAVE POSTED MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THOSE NEW FIREWORKS LAWS OVER ON WTAE DOT COM
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State Police: Penn Township house fire caused by fireworks
Police warning about fireworks safety heading into summer
Updated: 6:42 PM EDT May 30, 2023
A house fire Monday night in Westmoreland County was caused by fireworks, according to the state police fire marshal.No one was injured after the fire broke out at a home on Dolly Avenue in Penn Township. Officials said the fire remains under investigation.With summer approaching, state police urge residents to be careful and be aware of state regulations that have changed in the past year. "They are things that we can issue a citation for that can be as much as $500," Trooper Steve Limani said.Here are some of the changes in state law when it comes to fireworks:Cannot be ignited or discharged on public or private property without express permission of the property owner.Cannot be directed at another person.Cannot be discharged from or directed at a building or vehicle.Cannot be discharged within 150 feet of a building or vehicle, regardless if the building or vehicle is owned by the user of the consumer fireworks.Cannot be discharged while the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or another drug.Municipalities may restrict use of consumer fireworks between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m. except:July 2, 3, 4 and Dec. 31, when they may be used until 1 a.m.If July 4 falls on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, they may be used until 1 a.m. on the immediately preceding and following Friday and Saturday"Just try and be a good neighbor and be careful while you're out there enjoying yourself during the season," Limani said.
PENN TOWNSHIP, Pa. —
A house fire Monday night in Westmoreland County was caused by fireworks, according to the state police fire marshal.
No one was injured after the fire broke out at a home on Dolly Avenue in Penn Township. Officials said the fire remains under investigation.
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With summer approaching, state police urge residents to be careful and be aware of state regulations that have changed in the past year.
"They are things that we can issue a citation for that can be as much as $500," Trooper Steve Limani said.
Here are some of the changes in state law when it comes to fireworks:
- Cannot be ignited or discharged on public or private property without express permission of the property owner.
- Cannot be directed at another person.
- Cannot be discharged from or directed at a building or vehicle.
- Cannot be discharged within 150 feet of a building or vehicle, regardless if the building or vehicle is owned by the user of the consumer fireworks.
- Cannot be discharged while the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or another drug.
- Municipalities may restrict use of consumer fireworks between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m. except:
- July 2, 3, 4 and Dec. 31, when they may be used until 1 a.m.
- If July 4 falls on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, they may be used until 1 a.m. on the immediately preceding and following Friday and Saturday
- July 2, 3, 4 and Dec. 31, when they may be used until 1 a.m.
"Just try and be a good neighbor and be careful while you're out there enjoying yourself during the season," Limani said.
