Children with backyard fireworks cause $250K in fire damage to house

A two-alarm fire is shown on Monclova Road on Saturday, May 16, 2015. (Steven George Cullum / MyNews)

Fire officials are warning about the dangers of backyard fireworks shows for Victoria Day, after children playing with fireworks set off a blaze that caused an estimated $250,000 in damage and left six people displaced in North York on Saturday.

Toronto Fire Capt. Mike Strapko says children mishandled a firework and shot it into a tree at the back of a house on Monclova Road, near Jane Street and Wilson Avenue.

The tree caught fire around 9:30 p.m. and the flames spread to the house, sparking a two-alarm blaze that took nearly 45 minutes to put out, he said.

"I don't know how children are getting their hands on fireworks," Strapko told CTV Toronto. "You've got to be 18 years of age to buy fireworks from a licensed vendor."

Strapko said parents should keep fireworks locked away from children at all times.

"Children should never have fireworks because they are extremely dangerous. You can cause serious injury," Strapko said.

He recommended people attend public Victoria Day fireworks displays this weekend, instead of trying to host backyard shows themselves.

Strapko had several safety tips for those who insist on launching their own fireworks. He said all fireworks should be half-buried in sand before they are launched, and only a sober, responsible adult should be allowed to light the fuses.

He did not know the ages of the children who set off the fireworks.

No injuries were reported.