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A house fire in Syracuse on Friday (July 4) was sparked by fireworks, injuring several people and displacing 15 residents. The blaze began on the second-floor porch of a home on Midland Avenue due to "reckless discharging of fireworks," according to the Syracuse Fire Department. Firefighters responded to the scene around 7:20 p.m., finding the building's second floor engulfed in flames.
Five people were inside the house when the fire started, and all managed to escape. However, two children and a baby suffered burn injuries and were taken to Upstate University Hospital, as reported by Syracuse.com. The fire caused extensive damage, leaving the residents displaced. The American Red Cross is assisting those affected.
The fire department's spokesperson, Lt. Erik Caster, confirmed that juveniles had been shooting fireworks near the house throughout the night. CNY Central reported that the fire took about 45 minutes to extinguish, and nearby homes also sustained damage to their siding.
In addition to the blaze, over 160 fireworks complaints were reported across Syracuse during the holiday weekend. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about fireworks safety and the risks they pose to communities.