FORREST CITY, AR (abc24.com) – Drought conditions in Arkansas could put a damper on 4th of July celebrations. Several counties have burn bans in place which make fireworks illegal. Forrest City is the latest town to consider snuffing out fireworks.
Recently things took a turn for the worst when a house caught on fire because kids were playing with fire crackers.
“I looked out the window and I seen the fire truck and some police and they didn't get the chance to use the water out the fire truck because the neighbor called and they used the fire hose from her just to put the fire out on this house,” said Forrest City resident Roderick Tiswell.
The damage may not look bad but Tiswell says it could have been much worse.
Forrest City's Fire Department says it was the second fire this week caused by fire crackers.
With the city in a severe drought and the threat of wildfires rising with the temperature, Assistant Chief Anthony Renigar says they're all good reasons why fireworks should be banned.
“It can happen real fast and fire can spread really quickly into grass,” Renigar said.
Forrest City has an ordinance against the use of fireworks except on New Year's and the Fourth of July. The ban proposed by the fire department would nix the Independence Day exemption.
You won't hear any complaints from Linda Hall. “I think it's too dry for fireworks to this year,” she said, saying the house fire hit too close to home. “I see where the house over there caught on fire from the fireworks and I live right next door. It could have been my house and I'm at work.”
Forrest City's Fire Chief is urging the mayor to call a special City Council Meeting to ban fireworks. With Independence Day right around the corner, time is running out.
