GALESBURG, Ill. — A garage caught fire over the weekend in Galesburg after a large number of fireworks unintentionally started exploding, officials say.
On Saturday, June 29, the Galesburg Fire Department responded to a garage fire on Bateman Street. Crews found the garage on fire with fireworks actively exploding out of the structure. City officials say firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze, even with fireworks "shooting and exploding at them during the process."
The homeowner was storing a large amount of illegal fireworks in the garage, which officials say had power and natural gas running into.
"This event posed a significant danger to the first responders on the scene as well as to the residents in the area," a press release about the incident says. The homeowner was cited for illegal possession of fireworks.
Almost all consumer fireworks are banned in Illinois unless an ordinance specifically allows them. Most towns on the Illinois side of the News 8 viewing region prohibit their use without a permit. Fireworks like ground spinners or sparklers are allowed.
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