The Wichita Fire Department reports over 100 complaints related to fireworks over the July 4th holiday weekend.
Battalion Chief Jose Ocadiz provided an update to reporters Thursday during Mayor Brandon Whipple’s weekly news conference. He said there were teams consisting of two police officers and one firefighter that responded to complaints. He said they contacted 200 people and responded to 100 complaints. Eight citations were issued.
Ocadiz said there were three house fires related to fireworks. Two of them were caused by the use of fireworks, and the third fire was caused by improper disposal inside a garage. He said crews noticed more buckets of water in neighborhoods, meaning that more people were hearing the message that the Fire Department sent this year on proper disposal of fireworks. Ocadiz said the department will continue to emphasize fireworks safety education.
Sedgwick County Emergency Communications director Elora Forshee said the non-emergency hotline that was in operation from July 1st through the 5th received a total of 1,224 calls over the weekend. That compares to 1,184 last year.
Wichita hospitals reported treating around 19 people for fireworks-related injuries over the holiday weekend.
