Press releases

Illegal bottle rocket causes one of two Edina house fires

Edina, Minn., July 24, 2008 -- An illegal bottle rocket and repairs being made to a copper water pipe were the causes of two Edina fires that took place earlier this month.

On July 15, a bottle rocket landed on the wood shake roof of a home on the 5500 block of Brookview Avenue, setting the roof ablaze. The fire spread from the roof into the attic, and the second floor ceiling had to be opened in order to gain access. Fire damage combined with minor smoke damage is estimated at over $10,000, but the homeowner was advised that the house remained habitable. No injuries were reported.

The bottle rocket, which is illegal in Minnesota, was launched by children from the home’s yard. Additional illegal fireworks in the home were confiscated by Edina Police for disposal.

Edina Fire Marshal Tom Jenson expressed his disappointment in the continued use of illegal fireworks, stating that it sends the message to children that it is “OK” to break certain laws.

“We make every effort to educate the public on the dangers of fireworks, yet some people refuse to take it seriously,” said Jenson. “With this mindset, it was only a matter of time until a fireworks related incident affected our community. As with many of the fires we respond to, this one was preventable.”

On July 16, the Edina Fire Department responded to a fire in an attached garage on the 4600 block of Browndale Avenue. Plumbers were at the home repairing a copper water pipe in the wall when they caused a series of sparks. The plumbers doused the worksite with water to prevent the sparks from igniting, but an unseen spark flamed up inside the wall shortly after. The fire started inside a wall on the exterior corner of the garage and a small extension reached into the second floor room above the garage. The second floor wall and floor were opened to ensure the fire was not spreading. Fire and minor smoke damage is estimated at $50,000, but the homeowner was advised that the house remained habitable.

Richfield and St Louis Park fire departments assisted in both fires.

For more information, visit www.CityofEdina.com/Fire or call the Edina Fire Department at 952-826-0339.