Trees outside an Edmonds home at 8th Avenue and Walnut Street caught fire Tuesday night, and it’s possible that fireworks could be to blame.
South County Fire spokesperson Shawneri Guzman said that crews were called to the home at 8:52 p.m. Tuesday. While no one was at home, the homeowners “did get camera footage of fireworks possibly thrown from a vehicle,” she said.
There were no injuries, she added.
Firefighters got the blaze under control before flames reached the house, Guzman said. The fire marshal has been asked to investigate the incident.
This is my neighborhood! Enough already! I want the city to ticket every person caught setting off fireworks! I want my local cops out driving around so they can follow the noise and explosions! I want all local firework stands in unincorporated county closed down! And I know it’s a long shot and asking too much, but I want to see the Tribal stands closed down. Thankfully no lives or homes were lost, but I’m now sitting in my home listening to explosions all around me! Come on Edmonds, we can do better than this!
Marilyn, I couldn’t agree with you more.
Completely agree. The absurdity of hearing explosions go off just blocks away while watching firefighters putting out a fire is too much.
I agree 100%! Fireworks do not belong in neighborhoods, especially ones with giant trees.
I am with all of you. I live near a park and freaking idiots screeched up at 2 AM – set off booming loud fireworks down in the park/railroad tracks and gleefully raced off -ENOUGH.
I completely agree. A family on my street sets off the loudest, explosive fireworks I’ve ever seen, not only on the 4th of July, but New Year’s as well. It’s awful.
unfortunately the cops are out dealing with things like firearms and crime. My suggestion is using the frustration by starting a community group that gathers evidence on the neighbors that break the laws (video surveillance) and ask the evidence to be used against those neighbors. A strong community like Edmonds should be proactive in their neighborhood. Maybe more security (ring) cameras to catch things like this from happening.
Or stop the shameless money grab of selling fireworks in the first place. Duh.
Agree! My daughters neighbors fence and grass caught on fire. All because teens were driving around throwing them OUT THEIR WINDOWS! This is nuts!
Thank you for your level-headed perspective. People want the government to step in whenever it’s beneficial to them and stay out when it’s not. Officers have lots of other things to take care of on a tight budget…since most folks don’t want to pay taxes to fund what they’re asking for. I appreciate your insights.
Yeah, I agree with much of that. Out here in Shoreline , someone was setting off huge rockets and bombs south of me, at about 1:30 to 330am. Around the area of 155th and 5th somewhere. I think that last year was much the same.
Getting Tribes to stop selling explosives would be difficult. It may be possible to file a class action suit against them for damages and it may be possible to go after them under “public Nuisance” law. But they are sovereign groups. The trick would be in figuring out to get standing that would hold up to form a case before a jury. I think a jury would agree but you can be sure the appeals would go to the Supreme Court eventually.
Probably the greatest leverage the public would have over tribes is a boycott of tribal Casinos.
I absolutely agree!! There are signs all over stating fireworks are illegal or banned and they are still being blown off. I get the occasional firecracker but people practically have professional displays in their yards and these people need to SHUT DOWN! Especially since it is so dry out there. I have to also ask, where IS law enforcement? Not doing their jobs obviously.
Enough is enough!
Are the Edmonds police blind and hearing impaired to the violations that occured last night?? This is the reason we have a police force,no??Why is our city government taking action?? More enforcement could stop this and protect our property!
Can you suggest HOW the police can locate a bang? Ever tried? Do the bangs stick around so they can be caught? What actions can city government realistically take?
I doubt very much that our excellent and heavily-worked police force is either deaf or blind, but some things are extremely difficult to locate.
The problem will never be wholly solved, as idiots are always with us, But on-going education and public awareness, not futile chasing after bangs, will continue to make things better, as the already have.
You do make a point about education, however, Edmonds police “heavily worked”? C’mon!
How can they locate a “bang”? They don’t have to. Driving around (on what used to called patrols), they would easily HEAR and SEE the violators. Don’t get me wrong, Edmonds IS experiencing a rise in crime but still, knowing how dry it is and that these punks WILL be playing with explosives, one would think any enforcement would be better than no enforcement.
You people need to stop blaming the police, and focus on city leadership (or lack thereof) and lax laws that come out of our local government. The police are doing their job with what they have to work with. You social media hounds need to give law enforcement the respect they deserve.
Marilyn,
I couldn’t agree with you more.
A note too, to the especially socially-challenged individuals who thought it okay to be letting off firecrackers at 2 AM. Illegal actions + childish, deeply inconsiderate behavior.
Well I live in Birchbay I’m 63 ex military and it sounded like a war zone last night. But remember when we were kids the adults said the same thing about us.Thank God it’s twice a year.
While fire and police were responding to the blaze last night in our neighborhood, people gathered nearby, watching and setting off fireworks. The police non-emergency number to report illegal firework activity was completely jammed, all the while, explosions continued into the night. So, yes Marilyn, Edmonds can and should do better!
I am disappointed in our chamber. If the chamber collected donations all year at all events we could have had a firework show, which could limits people celebrating on their own. I emailed the chamber this year asking why no fireworks in Edmonds? Little Kingston is having their firework show. I was told they were not. A ferry load of people from Edmonds went to Kingston to watch the fireworks. I heard it was fabulous. Is Edmonds just not patriotic any more?
Fireworks displays actually promote the fascination with setting off fireworks. We can certainly celebrate our independence without fireworks. AND we should. Why don’t we instead have a day of peace and quiet in remembrance of all of those who left their families and gave their lives to create a free country.
My question is, given that this is fire season, and our communities are all a tinder box, why oh why do we sell fireworks at all? THIS is what happens to unregulated firework use.
The explosions in our Maplewood area continued until at least 1:30 AM. I called the non-emergency police #. A few minutes later got a reply saying a patrol car went down Maplewood and didn’t see anyone lighting off firecrackers. Of course not! The perpetrators know how to split. The Fourth is a celebration of our freedom. Freedom to terrorize the neighborhoods? Com on.
I am curious to learn how many citations have been issued by Edmonds Police to persons discharging fireworks in our city. Given the level of noise we were all hearing, the number should be rather large.
Great question Roger. Good luck getting any sort of answers. Maybe the next Police Blotter will give us some clues about this and we will be pleasantly surprised by all the contacts and revenue producing actions. Not holding my breath, however. In fairness, the police are pretty busy with the parade, traffic issues and helping out on fire calls.
This is going to be deeply contested, but the fact is, it’s not going to stop. It is ironic that the very sounds and sights of fireworks represent the celebration of a nation freeing itself from oppressive government control, hence the name INDEPENDENCE DAY. I understand they’re dangerous and frightening, I do. I also understand human nature. It isn’t going to stop, and the police cannot possibly stop every offender. The only way to at least make it less dangerous is to have supervised, controlled, designated areas, where people can light them, bbq, have a neighborhood celebration, etc. Think large shopping center parking lots, church parking lots, etc, perhaps with a neighborhood fire truck standing by, engaging with the people, and ready to jump into action, if needed. Complaining year after year about them doesn’t help, obviously. Let’s take action.
Good for you, the most sensible comment so far
Interesting. The “graffiti wall” approach, applied to fireworks.
Fireworks control begins with limiting the supply, which means shutting down tribal sales. The tribes are currently advertising a great deal about environmental issues and preserving their culture, and we are thankful for them, especially in their efforts to preserve native salmon runs and the health of the Salish Sea. But what about climate change, lower humidity, and greater risk of fires? There is no place for fireworks in a warmer world. We all need to give up some profits for the sake of preserving our habitat, and this includes the tribes giving up the income from fireworks . . . which are NOT a part of their traditional culture. This is only about money…..
Fireworks were set off at Brackett’s Landing for several hours and didn’t end until 2 am. We need a new Police Chief. The current Chief has demonstrated that her only expertise is promoting Sergeants to Commanders who continue in the same jobs. She doesn’t seem to understand that she needs to do what’s right for citizens and not just her staff.
Personally, I stopped with fireworks a few years ago (13 year old me is disappointed) PTSD and the effects on wildlife are real and I don’t feel ok contributing to that kind of stress. It would be best if we could come up with options for people who do like, and want to do their own fireworks not just straight criminalization and deal with it. July 4th is Independence day, celebrated for 200 plus years and now we say just stop you can’t celebrate the way we have been for the past couple centuries.
Some off the comments here are totalitarian and sad. We have, suggestions of Mccarthyism, Implementation of a surveillance state and shameless politicalization. When those seep into your comments they cheapen and, or completely remove the value the opinion because it’s obviously a view from a tinted lens
I watched the Kingston official display for about five minutes and it alone looked and sounded a bit like a WWII battle with flashes and booms rolling across a totally placid Salish Sea. That felt like adequate Independence Day celebration to me. It all tends to lose it’s charm when the combination of too much booze and illegal home fireworks take over as the night drags on. I’m sure the city will promise more tickets and enforcement next year, and the year after that and . . . . . . .
It won’t stop. People like to celebrate. They simply don’t care what others think. The Tribes have political power and won’t stop selling them. Also many of the same people commenting support defunding police and allowing more crime. Spray down your property on the fourth, buy some ear plugs and have a glass of wine. It’s not stopping and the police can’t do much about it, even if they wanted to.
“Also many of the same people commenting support defunding police and allowing more crime. ”
Upon what do you base this remarkable claim? Please name one person commenting here who supports allowing more crime.
I absolutely agree! Go to the source & shut it down. You can ban fireworks all day long…doesn’t mean they won’t be used…if you stop the SALE of fireworks. Therein lies your answer. Let’s not wait for someone to lose their life because some birdbrain wanted to exercise their idea of fun.
What about a laser light show as an alternative?
It is currently cost prohibitive, but may be the future when that stops being the case. Combination of cost for each and short battery life.
With regard to pleas and complaints about policing fireworks:
1) Ever try to locate a bang?
2) Especially if it was called in, and even if the patrol is in the area within minutes?
3) Are those criticizing the police ready to pay the higher taxes necessary to hiring more officers so we can have fireworks patrols?
I’m firmly against private fireworks, but it seemed to me that there was less this year than last. We need to keep pounding and repeating the message that it’s illegal, and perhaps provide a city-controlled display. There will always be a few sociopathic morons, but do we really want to blame the police, or pay for more policing?
Nathaniel there were less fireworks than last year. Someone expressed the safe and sane fireworks could and should be allowed at special locations. The officers should not have to be patrolling to fine citizens for expressing their American Freedom. Also an annual show in our City is what should have happened and I cannot express enough that this tradition means a lot to many Americans. Fireworks the explosive beauty is representing our Freedom in America.
The fireworks did not happen this year because the Chamber says they didn’t have the money. So, I respectfully suggest that everyone missing them so much immediately write out a hefty check to the Chamber to deposit for next year. Free stuff is all the rage until it isn’t free or someone else is paying for it. I’d rather take a pass and just enjoy Kingston from affar. Voting is an expression of freedom; fireworks are just an expensive exhibition.
Clint that is what Chamber told me, no money. Why did little Kingston have the money? Why wouldn’t businesses in Edmonds donate? Why not ask for donations at the Saturday Market and other Edmonds events? Why not tip Jars for donations at businesses. I don’t have money is not an answer, to why not.
Ron Wambolt is a very respected and credible guy around here and if he says people were doing illegal fireworks in a public space I believe him and agree that there should have been police presence and intervention to stop it. Hearing a bang up on the hill somewhere and investigating a bunch of backyards would be a totally different and objectionable thing of course. I’m all for giving the police a break, but I’m also all for them doing their job when and where appropriate.
Days leading up to and following the 4th are always a bit tense. I understand the need for expression, but it’s difficult on family pets when a neighborhood is exploding, not to mention the additional fire danger. My point is that it makes no sense to outlaw things if you’ve got no intention to enforce it, which generally happens these days.
I hate this time of year. My pets hate it. My PTSD is never the greatest. And I really do not want to feel like I am in Iraq again. The crime rate alone is bad enough to make me feel like that. If people want to light stuff off, then the tribal land is where to go. People lack the respect, common sense and safety of others around. I like my sleep at night and I sure don’t want to hear the fireworks going off till whatever time of the night. Especially when I have to get up at 530a to work then get my child up for summer school. So it’s a matter of respect and responsibility of each individual. I’m sure I will hear/read more comments but really that’s what it is about. No matter what laws are put in place, how many police are out fighting the crime, someone is out breaking the law or rules because he or she just doesn’t want to live peacefully or wants to show how stupid they can be because they did or did not get caught today.
I agree with Dean Strong. The supply must be limited. Does anyone know what happened with this plea by South County Fire to County Council in 2018:
From the article in My Edmonds News: https://myedmondsnews.com/2018/06/south-county-fire-supports-county-wide-fireworks-ban/
“Fireworks have been responsible for a total of more than $3.7 million in property loss in the South County Fire service area since 2005, displacing 15 households from homes and apartments.”
I also think rather than supervising private fireworks displays, as Joann Fielding proposed, the City of Edmonds should model Edmonds’ ban on fireworks by supporting the Chamber of Commerce in putting on a laser light show. This is just one link I found in 2021 related to laser light shows for celebrations: https://fullcolorlasers.com/4th-july-laser-light-shows/
In addition to property damage resulting from fireworks, the issue of PTSD for veterans due to fireworks’ mimicry of explosions has often been brought up in advance of and after 4th of July. Having a silent, laser display, as Carol Lyons suggests, would be respectful of our veterans who suffer from PTSD.
Here’s some information on the countywide fireworks ban, which was approved. https://myedmondsnews.com/2021/06/planning-to-set-off-fireworks-on-the-4th-fireworks-now-banned-in-unincorporated-sw-snohomish-county-and-theres-a-new-500-fine-in-edmonds/
Thanks, Teresa.