Errant fireworks caused at least three structure fires in neighboring counties, including one on Upper Balcones Road just outside the Kendall County line.
Kendall County Fire Marshal Brady Constantine said improper disposal of used fireworks led to six vehicle fires in the county, at least three of those in Boerne.
“While we didn’t see any (structure fires) in Kendall County, there were three house fires, just on the other side in Kerr County, one just into Gillespie County and one on Upper Balconies, 200 yards into Bexar County,” Constantine said.
Dave Brewer, chief inspector for the Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office, said improperly discarded fireworks caused between $175,000$200,000 damage to a large barn and shop area just across the Kendall County line into Bexar.
“The owner admitted they put water on the fireworks, but some evidently were missed,” Brewer said. “They failed to soak them completely, put them in the back of a UTV, and were going to take them to dump them.”
But the fireworks rekindled and burned the UTV, which led to a fire that consumed the 60-by-40-foot barn and shop.
“It was a total loss to the barn, farm equipment and shop. They were able to get a vehicle and a fourwheeler out,” he said. “Luckily there were no injuries, and the fire did not spread to other structures.”
Constantine said fireworks — as well as campfires — need to be well extinguished before leaving the vicinity or packing them up.
“We see more damage from improperly discarded fireworks, than we do from people lighting the fireworks,” he said. “We’re always fortunate when there’s no injuries or loss of life as a result.”
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