Illegal fireworks cause $175K in damages to neighbouring property: Edmonton fire

Police are urging people to celebrate Diwali safely after a home caught fire by fireworks, causing $175,000 in damage. CTV News Edmonton’s Connor Hogg reports.

Illegal fireworks set off Monday night in Mill Woods caused an estimated $175,000 in damages to a neighbour’s property, Edmonton Fire Rescues Services (EFRS) said.

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The fireworks were set off near a house located on 25 Avenue and 24 street. On Tuesday police charged three people with arson in connection with the damages on the property.

Cassidy Moreno lives near the house that was damaged and shot a video from her kitchen Monday night.

“I was terrified, you can see how close it is. Right here I have a huge tree that could have gone up in flames,” Moreno told CTV News Edmonton.

She says she called 911, grabbed her dog and ran out of the house feeling scared and stressed. Her home suffered damage as well.

“It was a small backyard and it put me in danger, put my neighbours in danger, ” Moreno added.

Fire crews received 22 fireworks-related complaints throughout the city on Monday, responding to two of them, and 60 calls on Tuesday, responding to seven.

Three fireworks events led to “significant grass fires,” ERFS posted on social media Wednesday.

Desh Punjabi radio host Kulmit Sangha says laws should be stricter around the sales of fireworks in Edmonton.

While it is legal to buy them, it’s illegal to set them off without a permit.

“Back in India they have brick houses or concrete houses, here it’s a totally different thing. They have to be careful and follow the law and also listen to the authorities,” Sangha told CTV News Edmonton.

He says he doesn’t tell his family or friends to light fireworks for Diwali, but to light candles inside your home.

“That’s the main thing actually, the purpose of this light is you have to enlighten your mind, rather than just these fake firecrackers that is totally unacceptable behaviour.”

Sangha says the holiday should be for people to pass around sweets, have dinner, listen to music, spend time with loved ones - and fireworks never used to be part of Diwali blaming commercialization.

The city sent out a reminder to people last week about the rules surrounding launching fireworks without a permit in the city. On Tuesday, Edmonton police urged people to celebrate Diwali safely.

Since 2023, fireworks have been illegal without an approved fireworks permit.

People caught igniting fireworks can receive fines of up to $10,000 or criminal charges.

Edmonton fire says damage caused to the home in Mill Woods was preventable.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Connor Hogg