LAKE STEVENS — Firefighters spent the Fourth of July extinguishing flames that left some homes significantly damaged across Snohomish County. However, overall, many areas, including Marysville, reported fewer firework-related calls than in past years.
“Really, it was quite tame,” said Steve Goforth, assistant fire marshal for Everett.
There were no house fires reported in the city Wednesday, he said. Crews did respond to a call about a firework in a tree.
In Lake Stevens, a fire that was possibly related to fireworks damaged five homes on the northwest side of the lake, Assistant Fire Marshal David Petersen said.
Firefighters were called around 11:45 p.m. Wednesday. Upon arrival, they found two houses on fire, with heat and flames scorching other homes.
No injuries were reported. Two people were displaced and were being assisted by the American Red Cross. Total damage is estimated at $1 million.
In Marysville, where fireworks were banned starting in 2017, police issued 27 citations for illegally setting off or possessing fireworks. That’s far fewer than the 46 handed out in 2017, Cmdr. Mark Thomas said.
The Marysville Fire District had no house fires as well.
The same wasn’t true in Stanwood, where a house was damaged by flames. Don Bartlett, assistant chief of operations with the North County Regional Fire Authority, on Thursday said he was fairly certain fireworks were the cause. He estimated the damage was at least $100,000.
A house fire caused by fireworks was reported in the Bothell area, according to Leslie Hynes, spokeswoman for South Snohomish Fire and Rescue.
The fire, which was contained to the attic, was started after a firework ignited a nearby tree and spread to the house.
Hynes said the fire marshal estimated the damage at $40,000.
Heather Chadwick, a spokeswoman for Fire District 7 in Monroe, said the agency had 24 fireworks-related calls between 7 a.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday.
“It was a little bit lower call volume than last year,” Chadwick said.
She said crews responded to three house fires around 11 p.m. Wednesday. Fireworks are the suspected cause for all three.
Chadwick said two of the fires likely will be attributed to improper disposal of the devices.
One firefighter received minor neck injuries, Chadwick said, after fireworks were set off nearby while crews were responding to an illegal burn. She said the firefighter received medical attention on the scene and went back to work.
Lizz Giordano: 425-374-4165; egiordano@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @lizzgior.
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