A late-night house fire in Douglas County over the holiday weekend has been linked to improperly discarded fireworks, according to South Metro Fire Rescue and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Just after midnight Saturday, first responders arrived at a home on Pebblewood Court in the Stonegate neighborhood to find flames consuming the garage and fence. The blaze, officials said, began when used fireworks were tossed into a plastic trash can outside the home.
Inside the house, the family was still trying to rescue their pets as deputies arrived. Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported. A dog and two cats made it out safely, though four deputies required treatment on scene for smoke inhalation. “Used fireworks are hot and dangerous for hours after they’re used,” warned DCSO Public Information Director Deborah Takahara, urging people to soak fireworks in water and store them in a metal container before disposal.
The fire caused major damage, destroying the garage and a vehicle inside it, and significantly damaging an upstairs bedroom. Officials say it’s been a busy and dangerous weekend for emergency responders, with this incident serving as a sobering reminder of how quickly celebrations can turn into emergencies.
