3 charged with arson after Mill Woods home catches fire from fireworks: EPS

Three men have been charged with arson after two south Edmonton homes were severely damaged by a fire started by fireworks. CTV's Sasha Pietramala reports.

Criminal charges have been laid after firework sparks ignited a fire to a garage in Mill Woods Monday evening.

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“The fireworks were quite loud and my daughter came out of her room saying there’s an orange glow in the backyard,” homeowner Travis Kammerer told CTV News Edmonton.

Kammerer says when he saw the fire his family immediately got out of the house and called 911. Three other houses were damaged, he said.

Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) says they received a report of the fire near 25 Avenue and 24 Street just after 8 p.m. EFRS says the fire started after fireworks ignited combustible materials on or near the garage.

Last week the city reminded people about fireworks safety and anyone wanting to use them requires a fireworks permit, and on Tuesday Edmonton police urged people to celebrate Diwali safely.

“No permit. No fireworks. Light up your home, not your neighbour’s roof,” EPS said.

Three men have been charged with arson for “recklessly causing damage by fire or explosion,” Edmonton police said in an update Tuesday afternoon.

Two homes were “significantly damaged” and no one was injured, police said

“A celebration for a holiday, that’s fine, but it should not be a result of my house burning down,” Kammerer said.

A video from Kammerer shows fireworks going off in a backyard close by when one makes contact with his house. He says it hit his garage and spread from there. The fire also destroyed his car and left holes in the roof.

Anyone caught using fireworks without a permit faces a fine up to $10,000.

Kammerer says he’s seen people light fireworks in the streets recklessly and wants city council to increase fines.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Sasha Pietramala