Friday, September 26, 2008

By ROSALIO AHUMADA
rahumada@modbee.com

last updated: July 02, 2008 07:41:08 AM

A fire that caused $30,000 in damage to a north Modesto home Tuesday afternoon was started after a 17-year-old boy is believed to have modified and launched a legal firework in his neighborhood, police and fire officials said.

"All that from one little firework," Modesto Fire Battalion Chief Terry Inderbitzen said.

No injuries were reported.

The teenager from Modesto was cited with a misdemeanor charge on suspicion of using an altered firework, said Sgt. Craig Gundlach, a Modesto police spokesman. Police did not release the boy's name because he is a minor.

Gundlach said the teenager later was released, and faces a fine of $500 to $1,000.

The fire occurred shortly before 2:30 p.m. at a home in the 1900 block of Tradewinds Court, just west of Oakdale Road and south of Celeste Drive.

The boy was with three other people in a vacant lot between duplexes at Tradewinds and Althoff Court before the fire started.

Gundlach said the boy modified a "Piccolo Pete," which is only supposed to whistle, and placed it inside a 20-ounce plastic soda bottle.

"Once it exploded, it flew through the air and landed on the house," Gundlach said.

Inderbitzen said the firework traveled about 50 feet from its launching area to the home on Tradewinds, where it landed in the back yard. The home had dry bushes in the back yard and a wood shake roof.

"If it didn't have wood shakes, the roof wouldn't have caught on fire," Inderbitzen.

Susan Kelso, 51, was alone inside her duplex home when the fire started. She said she smelled smoke immediately and thought someone was barbecuing.

"Then I heard a loud boom," she said. "I looked outside and there was smoke everywhere."

Kelso said she called 911, grabbed her keys and ran outside without getting hurt.

Inderbitzen said the first firefighters to arrive saw flames burning the back yard and spot fires on the roof. The firefighters launched an aggressive attack, using ladders to get on the roof.

About 20 firefighters battled the blaze and had it under control in about 12 minutes, Inderbitzen said. The firefighters kept the flames from reaching the other side of the duplex, which was vacant.

Firefighters also placed plastic tarps over the contents of the burning home to prevent smoke and water damage. Kelso and her husband were allowed to return to their home Tuesday afternoon.

Bob Kelso, 52, said he was grateful his home was saved, but he was upset about the damage. Every Fourth of July, he said, his neighborhood has problems with residents using illegal fireworks.

According to fire officials, "Piccolo Petes" are legal in Stanislaus County except for in Turlock. Legal fireworks, when modified, are considered illegal in California.

"I've had pieces of fireworks hit the front window to my house," Bob Kelso said. "They need to outlaw 'Piccolo Petes' forever. Even the 'Safe and Sane' ones can burn."

Bee staff writer Rosalio Ahumada can be reached at rahumada@modbee.com or 578-2394.

• Comments
• Add Comment
• Disclaimer