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Alameda Co. Firefighters Concerned About Illegal Fireworks

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ALAMEDA COUNTY (KCBS) – Alameda County fire officials sent out a warning Thursday about the use of illegal fireworks this July 4th weekend, especially with hot weather forecasted.

To show how powerful illegal fireworks can be, the Alameda County Sheriff’s bomb squad set off an M100 device. In addition, they set some dry brush on fire to show what can happen when fireworks such as sparklers are mishandled.

KCBS’ Bob Melrose Reports:

”In this nation, somewhere between 8,000 and 9,000 are treated in an emergency room annually for fireworks-related injuries,” said Alameda County Fire Chief Sheldon Gilbert. “Of those people, approximately 50 to 55 percent of them are under the age of 15.”

In Alameda County, only the cities of Dublin, Newark and Union City allow safe and sane fireworks.

>>Bay Area Fireworks Displays

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)


Man Loses Fingers In Concord Fireworks Accident

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CONCORD (CBS SF) – A 37-year-old man was seriously injured in Concord on Monday evening in an accident involving illegal fireworks, police Cpl. James Carroll said Tuesday.

Police and firefighters headed to the 2500 block of Olivera Road at about 7:50 p.m. after receiving a report of a person who was injured by fireworks.

When they arrived, officers found that some of the man’s fingers had been severed, Carroll said.

He was taken to a hospital for treatment. Carroll did not know his condition.

Information about the type of fireworks the man was using was not immediately available, but all fireworks, even those designated as “safe and sane,” are illegal in Concord and throughout Contra Costa County.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Arrest Made In Antioch Tire Warehouse Fire, 2 Injured

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ANTIOCH (CBS SF) — A Pittsburg man was arrested and two people were injured during a four-alarm fire at a tire warehouse in Antioch on Tuesday, a Contra Costa County Fire Protection District spokesman said.

The fire was reported around 4 p.m. at Blue Star Tires at 2665 Pittsburg-Antioch Highway, fire Capt. Robert Marshall said.

The blaze was contained by 6:15 p.m. and the last crews left the scene at around 9:45 p.m., Marshall said.

Marshall said two employees of the tire shop were injured by the fire. They were taken to a hospital where they were treated and released tonight.

Another employee, Rajnesh Reddy, 32, was arrested by fire responders and Pittsburg police on suspicion of unlawfully causing a fire, Marshall said.

Marshall said employees of the tire company had been using a mixture of tar and gasoline to make used tires look nicer, which is not in conformance with fire code.

Reddy is suspected of lighting an illegal firework in the shop which ignited the gasoline mixture, Marshall said.

Marshall said at least four of the six tenant spaces in the subdivided warehouse were uninhabitable after the blaze.

The other spaces were occupied when the fire broke out and everyone self-evacuated before firefighters arrived, he said.

Marshall said the fire itself required a three-alarm response but it rose to four alarms to prevent injuries because fire crews wore out faster in the warm weather.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

2 Arrested In Contra Costa County Illegal Fireworks Bust

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PACHECO (KCBS) – Two Pacheco men were arrested Wednesdau morning after authorities discovered hundreds of pounds of illegal fireworks and dangerous explosives at their homes, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District officials said.

Sheriff’s deputies arrested Richard Tapia, 45, and Jessie Aron Payn, 19, after serving search warrants and locating a combined 400 to 500 pounds of illegal fireworks and explosives, Contra Costa County fire Capt. Robert Marshall said.

Both men were arrested on suspicion of possessing illegal fireworks and explosives with the intent to sell them. Marshall said he does not know whether the two are acquainted.

The arrests came after fire investigators received a tip that the two men owned large amounts of illegal pyrotechnics, Marshall said.

“They’re just selling it to whoever and you could conceivably wind up with somebody who’s 7-10 years old lighting these things off,” said Marshall.

The stash included M-80’s and M-100’s, each equal to a quarter stick of dynamite.

Meanwhile, neighbors said they have heard fireworks and explosions for years late at night but never saw anything and didn’t know where they came from. Many said last 4th of July was the worst, with explosions loud enough to shake their houses.

Marshall said the arrests were intentionally timed to occur before the Fourth of July holiday, when the fire district typically sees hundreds of fireworks-related blazes.

“We’re getting into prime fire season here, and fireworks are one of the big causes of fires…as well as injuries,” he said.

Last year around this time, Marshall said, one resident of the district lost most of his hand after handling a dangerous explosive.

Owning, selling or discharging fireworks is illegal throughout the fire protection district, which encompasses much of the county including Concord, Antioch, Pittsburg, Lafayette, Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek.

Fire district officials encourage anyone needing to dispose of fireworks to call their local police or fire department.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Pacifica Bans 4th Of July Fireworks At Most Beach Areas Starting In 2014

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PACIFICA (KCBS)— Pacifica’s City Council has voted to ban Fourth of July fireworks from most areas of its beaches.

The council adopted recommendations by a task force that was created to address noise and litter complaints.

Beaches are usually packed on the fourth with revelers, but area resident Myrna Fald said the debris stays around.

“In this last month I was still picking up fireworks (from last year),” she said.

The measure passed unanimously and bans fireworks on Rockaway Beach, Sharp Park Beach, Manor, and Esplanade. You can still use them on a small portion on Linda Mar and in some parking lots.

Ian Butler was part of the beach coalition that developed the plan. He said there’s plenty of wildlife near the marsh and creek on the south end and was glad they’re not going to have “bombs blowing up” right next to them.

The ban will go into effect 2014.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Several Hurt When Fan Throws Fireworks From AT&T Park Bleachers

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SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — A fan was arrested after allegedly throwing fireworks from the bleachers at AT&T Park into a bar area during the San Francisco Giants game on Wednesday night, a police spokesman said.

At about 9:30 p.m., officers at the ballpark heard a loud explosion and saw smoke coming from the Coors Light bar area behind the bleachers, police spokesman Officer Gordon Shyy said.

Umpires temporarily stopped the game while officers tried to figure out what happened. Multiple people had pain, dizziness and temporary loss of hearing from the explosion, Shyy said.

No one was seriously injured in the blast and all were treated at the stadium.

A suspect in Section 142 of the bleachers had allegedly stood up and threw something back toward the bar area, Shyy said.

He was arrested and identified as Paolo Alessio Pavone, 21, of San Bruno, and was booked on suspicion of willful and malicious explosion of a destructive device, reckless or malicious possession of a destructive device and throwing or discharging a firework in a public place, Shyy said.

The game was not delayed for long and the Giants went on to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1.

© Copyright 2014 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed

San Bruno Man Pleads Not Guilty To Throwing Fireworks During Giants Game

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SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — A San Bruno resident who allegedly threw fireworks from the bleachers at a San Francisco Giants game at AT&T Park Wednesday night pleaded not guilty Friday to felony charges, according to prosecutors.

Paola Alessio Pavone, 21, was arraigned Friday in San Francisco Superior Court today on one charge of felony possession of a destructive device in a public place, one charge of felony possession of combustible material and one misdemeanor charge of discharging dangerous fireworks, according to Alex Bastian, a spokesman for the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges and is scheduled to return to court on April 25 to set a preliminary hearing date.

Pavone was arrested Wednesday after fireworks were thrown into the Coors Light bar area behind the bleacher around 9:30 p.m., during a period between innings, according to police.

Officers at the game heard a loud explosion and saw smoke coming from the area, police spokesman Officer Gordon Shyy said.

Multiple people reported pain, dizziness and temporary loss of hearing, but no one was seriously injured in the explosion, Shyy said. All of the victims were treated at the stadium.

Pavone was arrested after police learned a suspect was seen standing up in Section 142 of the bleachers and throwing something back toward the bar area, Shyy said.

The incident did not delay the game, and the Giants went on to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1.

© Copyright 2014 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Father Arrested After Son Lights Illegal Fireworks In Bedroom, Disfigures Hand

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SAN JOSE (CBS SF) — A 39-year-old man has been arrested after his son suffered a major injury to his hand when he ignited illegal fireworks in their South San Jose home on Friday, a police spokeswoman said Tuesday.

The 10-year-old victim was in his father’s residence in the 400 block of Lewis Road being cared for by a family member when he lit the fireworks inside a bedroom at about 7 p.m. Friday, San Jose police Sgt. Heather Randol said.

The pyrotechnics caused a large explosion that disfigured the boy’s hand and he was transported to a hospital for treatment, Randol said at a news conference outside San Jose police headquarters this morning.

Officers later searched the home and found 14 pounds of firecrackers and a mixture of other fireworks, which are illegal in San Jose.

“We are thankful that they all did not ignite, but it was enough to cause a serious injury,” Randol said.

The father, who is not being named to protect the identity of the juvenile victim, was arrested on suspicion of felony child endangerment and misdemeanor possession of illegal fireworks.

She said police held the news conference today about the incident to raise public awareness about the dangers of fireworks and to remind residents that it is illegal to have or set them off within the city.

© Copyright 2014 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


Cops Seize 2,500 Pounds Of Illegal Fireworks In Pittsburg; 3 Arrested In Undercover Craigslist Sting

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PITTSBURG (CBS SF) — Law enforcement officials arrested three people and confiscated more than 2,500 pounds of illegal fireworks Thursday afternoon in Pittsburg, a Contra Costa County Fire Protection District spokesman said.

The fireworks seized are used in professional fireworks shows and are illegal to use and possess without a permit, said fire officials.

Exploding near or in someone’s hand will kill them, I guarantee you.” said Vic Massenkoff of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. “These are what the licensed, permitted pyrotechnicians who put on your city’s show, your community groups’ professional fireworks show that you go see.”

Jose Francisco Hernandez, 22, of Richmond; Ivan Medina, 26, of Oakley; and Luis Amado Medina, 30, of Indiana, were arrested on suspicion on advertising and sale of fireworks without a license, transporting fireworks without registration, storing fireworks without a permit, possession of more than 100 pounds of dangerous fireworks and possession of dangerous fireworks without a permit.

Capt. Robert Marshall said Contra Costa fire investigators and Pittsburg police conducted an undercover sting after investigators saw an advertisement for fireworks for sale on Craigslist.

Marshall said investigators conducted an undercover buy that led to the arrests.

The value of the confiscated fireworks is still being determined, but Marshall said it will be in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Marshall said the sale of illegal fireworks is common, especially so close to the July 4 holiday.

“We’re really concerned, particularly with the current drought we are in,” he said.

Last year, there were a number of fires in the East Bay attributed to illegal fireworks. “We couldn’t keep up with the activity, we were basically chasing fires,” said Massenkoff.

TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Some Oakland Residents Seek Federal Help To Crack Down On Illegal Fireworks Displays

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4th header02 Some Oakland Residents Seek Federal Help To Crack Down On Illegal Fireworks DisplaysFIND BAY AREA FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS

OAKLAND (KPIX 5) — Residents in Oakland say it’s like a war zone when illegal fireworks go off every July 4th. Fed up with the lack of police response, some are seeking federal help.
Every 4th of July along Oakland’s 14th Avenue, neighbors say the fireworks begin when the sun goes down and don’t stop until the early hours of the morning.

“This is a form of terrorism, as far as I’m concerned,” said Wendy Jung, who has lived in the neighborhood for 30 years.

Ann Barnett has lived along 14th Avenue for 20 years. “Fireworks themselves are great, I’ve always celebrated those. But these aren’t just fireworks. These are extremely dangerous fireworks that are not meant for people in neighborhoods to handle,” she said.

They said they can’t even enjoy the holiday anymore because they have to stay home and make sure the embers that land on their rooftops don’t burn the house down.

“We have got to respect the laws. We have got to respect our neighbors. We have got to respect the fact that this is a fragile environment that can catch fire at any time,” said Oakland City Councilmember Libby Schaaf.

Schaaf is holding a town hall on fire danger Thursday night at the Dimond Recreation Center. She says both the police and fire chiefs have insisted that phone lines will be manned on July 4th and that people should call them.

But for neighbors of the 14th Avenue fireworks show, they say they’ve given up on city leaders. They are now asking Federal ATF agents to get involved.

“This is dangerous activity. This is not fun, this is dangerous,” Jung said.

Fireworks Likely To Blame For Small Fire At Antioch Middle School

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4th header02 Fireworks Likely To Blame For Small Fire At Antioch Middle School FIND BAY AREA FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS

 
ANTIOCH (CBS SF) — Fireworks appear to have sparked a small fire at an Antioch middle school on Wednesday night, a fire captain said Thursday.

A neighbor reported hearing fireworks in the area of Park Middle School on Spartan Way around 7:15 p.m. and a fire broke out in a field on campus a short time later, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Capt. Kent Kirby said.

“Luckily someone called it in right away,” Kirby said. Crews arrived on the scene and had the fire out within minutes, he said.

Kirby said firefighters found fireworks debris in the area and that the blaze was “most likely caused by fireworks.”

No buildings were damaged and no injuries were reported.

On the eve of the Fourth of July holiday, law enforcement agencies are reminding residents that fireworks are banned throughout Contra Costa County.
 

 
County sheriff’s deputies and police officers on patrol this week will confiscate any fireworks and offenders could face $500 fines, according to the sheriff’s office.

Possession of more dangerous fireworks such as M-80s or cherry bombs is considered a felony and can result in fines of up to $5,000 or jail time, sheriff’s officials said.

© Copyright 2014 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Fireworks Blow Off Hands, Fingers Of 3 Southbay Men

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SAN JOSE (CBS) — Fireworks caused serious injuries to 3 Southbay men Friday night.

A man in East San Jose lost both his hands Friday night when a firework he was holding exploded prematurely. In Sunnyvale, two men lost their fingers when a firework blew them off.

The first incident occurred around 9 p.m. in the 1300 block of Leeward Drive, near Cassel Park. San Jose Police said the victim was igniting illegal fireworks as family members watched. The explosion blew off both of his hands. He is expected to survive.

Sunnyvale authorities said a patrol officer saw and heard an explosion just before 10 p.m. at an apartment complex in the 700 block of East Duane Avenue. The 2 victims had been trying to ignite a mortar-type firework when it went off in their hands. On man lost several fingers from his left hand and fingertips off his right hand. The other was missing part of his right hand.

Both were taken to a nearby hospital. There is no word as to their condition.

San Jose Expanding Crackdown On Illegal Fireworks As Holiday Approaches

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SAN JOSE (CBS SF) — With about two weeks left until the Fourth of July holiday, San Jose city leaders have a plan that would expand a crackdown on illegal fireworks, which has become a growing concern for residents.

Speaking outside San Jose Fire Station .8 this morning, Mayor Sam Liccardo, Vice Mayor Rose Herrera and City Councilman Raul Peralez announced an ordinance that would allow non-sworn city employees to cite people found with illegal fireworks.

The city’s police officers and firefighters had a difficult time enforcing fireworks ordinances even when staffing levels were sufficient 10 years ago, Liccardo said.

The non-sworn employees, such as park rangers, code enforcement and community officers, would be able to cite people found using, possessing, selling, advertising, transporting or manufacturing fireworks based on witness observations, according to Liccardo.

“What we are seeing now is a disturbance that rivals many of the large public fireworks shows that are being routinely set off by professionals,” Liccardo said.

Fireworks are especially hazardous in the current hot and dry conditions caused by drought, Herrera said.

The intensity and number of illegal fireworks in the city has increased in recent years, according to Herrera.

“We had over 2,000 calls in San Jose for the months of June and July in 2014 alone,” she said.

Peralez, a former San Jose police officer, was on patrol during the July 4 holiday last year and recalled an incident within his beat in the east side of the city where a man lost both his hands after a firework he was holding exploded.

Peralez also spoke of a fireworks explosion on Wednesday in Fairfield where a man suffered serious injuries after constructing fireworks that exploded in his garage.

“We have a number of these incidents year after year that make the news that tell people how dangerous it is to be dealing with professional-grade fireworks illegally when you’re not a professional,” Peralez said.

They encouraged the public to view public fireworks displays supported by the city on July 4 including ones at Discovery Meadow, Almaden Lake Park and Municipal Stadium.

They are calling on the City Council to consider the proposal during its meeting on Tuesday.

Juan Estrada of the community group District 5 United! in East San Jose hopes the City Council supports the ordinance, which would “allow the city to more effectively and practically penalize those that allow fireworks or who light illegal fireworks on their properties.”

The fireworks scare children, including his 1-year-old daughter, and pets and keep people awake at night, Estrada said.

Suzanne Morrone, a 48-year resident of District 3, said the illegal fireworks could have an adverse effect on combat veterans, one being her husband and veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

© Copyright 2015 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Police Seize Huge Cache Of Illegal Fireworks In Oakland; 2 Arrested

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OAKLAND (CBS SF) — Police recovered more than $50,000 in illegal fireworks in a raid on an East Oakland home Thursday morning and arrested two suspected fireworks dealers, police said.

Officers responded just before 7:30 a.m. to a home in the 1100 block of 82nd Avenue and found the fireworks in the basement, Oakland police spokeswoman Officer Johnna Watson said.

Because of the type and volume of the cache, police called in the Alameda County sheriff’s Bomb Squad, Watson said. Most of the fireworks were aerials, Oakland Fire Department chief of staff Cynthia Perkins said.

Watson said the raid was part of a long-term investigation by the police department’s Special Investigative Unit-2, prompted by the Fourth of July holiday.

Children live in the area where police recovered the fireworks, so this was “a safety concern,” Watson said.

She said the fireworks posed a real danger if there was a heat source, such as a spark, in the basement.

Perkins agreed. She added that the Fourth of July weekend is one of the fire department’s busiest.

Watson said both men face felony charges.

Perkins said the fire department has set up barrels at six fire stations where people can drop off illegal fireworks. No one will be arrested and no one will ask any questions, she said.

“We just want to get as many off the street as possible,” Perkins said. “We are at a real disadvantage” with the drought.

The barrels will probably be there until Monday, she said.

The barrels are at fire stations at 1603 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, 1445 14th St., 1235 International Blvd., 934 34th St., 1700 50th Ave.  and 1401 98th Ave.

Perkins is encouraging families to enjoy one of the area’s many legal fireworks shows rather than display their own.

City officials said fireworks are illegal in Oakland and anyone caught with fireworks can be fined up $1,000. Anyone possessing large amounts of illegal fireworks can be fined $5,000 to $10,000 and go to prison.

Anyone who wants to report illegal fireworks to police can call the anonymous tip line at (510) 238-2373.

© Copyright 2015 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

After Errant Fireworks Set San Jose House Ablaze, Revelers Outside Keep Lighting More

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SAN JOSE (CBS SF) — Four people have been displaced after a home in San Jose caught fire Saturday night when illegal fireworks landed in the back yard, according to a fire captain.

Firefighters responded to the 800 block of Yerba Buena Road at 9:44 p.m. on reports of a fire.

A resident saw the firework land in his back yard start a fire. He attempted to put it out, but the fire ignited his home and threatened the house behind him, according to Capt. Mitch Matlow.

But that didn’t stop revelers from lighting additional pyrotechnics while the house was burning.

“When our crews were on scene they were watching other neighbors still launching fireworks,” Matlow said.

Information about the extent of the damage caused by Saturday night’s fire was not immediately available.

© Copyright 2015 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed


Police Sting Turns Up 500 Pounds Of Illegal Fireworks In Dublin

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DUBLIN (CBS SF) — Police seized more than 500 pounds of illegal fireworks Wednesday from two people who were selling them in Dublin through the internet, police said Friday.

An undercover operation led first to 33-year-old Pinole resident Danielle Island who delivered about 80 pounds of fireworks to police. Then Sunnyvale man Daniel Kim, 28, delivered 60 pounds of fireworks to officers, according to police.

Daniel Kim, Danielle Island

Daniel Kim, Danielle Island. (Dublin Police Dept.)

Kim was questioned and officers learned that he had more fireworks at his home in Sunnyvale. Officers obtained a search warrant for the home and found about 400 pounds.

The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squad will destroy the fireworks, police said.

Dublin officers are taking a zero tolerance approach toward illegal fireworks and additional officers will be on patrol this weekend to keep residents safe.

© Copyright 2016 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed

Illegal Fireworks Spark Massive Fire In Brentwood

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BRENTWOOD (CBS SF) — A massive vegetation fire Sunday night in Brentwood was sparked by illegal fireworks.

Contra Costa County firefighters raced to the scene near Hanson Lane and Homecoming Way around 10 p.m.

The fire jumped a nearby creek and set the yard of a roofing company ablaze.

It took about an hour to get control of the fire. Crews remained on the scene until early Monday morning mopping up hot spots.

10 Displaced in Early-Morning San Jose 2-Alarm House Fire

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SAN JOSE (CBS SF) — Six adults and four children have been displaced following an overnight house fire in San Jose.

Officials say they responded just after 2 a.m. to the two-alarm house fire on Foxdale Drive.

Initial reports of possible fireworks in the area are being investigated as one of the possible causes but that has not been confirmed.

Illegal Fireworks Seized In Hayward Sting Operation

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HAYWARD (CBS SF) — Police detectives seized illegal fireworks and materials used to manufacture illegal fireworks in Hayward in a sting operation Friday, the police department said.

In the operation, detectives with the Special Investigations Bureau contacted a suspect through Craigslist, police said. The suspect, whose name wasn’t released because he is under 18, agreed to meet with them, according to police.

The fireworks were delivered, and the suspect fled from the uniformed officers. The officers found and detained the suspect a short distance away, police said.

The detectives found more illegal fireworks in the suspect’s vehicle. The detectives went to the suspect’s home and found illegal fireworks materials in various states of being manufactured, according to police.

Illegal Fireworks Seized

A bomb squad removes hazardous materials from a Hayward home where illegal fireworks were found. (Alameda County Sheriff’s Office)

Because of the hazardous nature of the materials, nearby residents were evacuated and the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Explosive Ordinance Disposal Squad responded to assist, police said.

The investigation is continuing, police said, and there is no further threat to public safety.

The operation was part of an ongoing effort to reduce the dangers of illegal fireworks during the Independence Day holiday.

© Copyright 2017 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed

Newark Teen Badly Injured By Exploding Fireworks

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NEWARK (CBS SF) — A Newark teenager suffered a badly mangled left hand late Tuesday night when a mortar-style firework exploded prematurely just as he was tossing it, according to witnesses and police.

Newark Police Capt. Chomnan Loth said officers were on fireworks patrol in a Newark neighborhood when they saw a crowd gathered around the injured teen at about 10:45 p.m.

“He was sitting in a chair,” he said. “There was a crowd around him…He had suffered a traumatic hand injury.”

One of the officers place a torniquet on the hand to slow the bleeding until an emergency crew could arrive and transport him to the hospital.

Riccardo Myers was among the group of young men lighting off the fireworks in the neighborhood.

“We were all having fun, popping off fireworks,” he told KPIX 5. “It was a group of late teens and 20s… We just started surrounding this one kid after a big explosion…One of his hands was basically blown off and he only had like two limbs (fingers) on the other one.”

Myers said the mortar-style firework was supposed to be shot out of a tube, but the teen attempted to throw it instead and it went off.

“It was an illegal firework,” he said. “They are not meant to be handled in your hand. They are meant to be put into a tube and shot into the air. He tried to handle it with his hand and light the wick at the same time. Unfortunately, it went off right when he let it go.”

Loth said the teen would not be facing any charges related to the incident. His identity and condition were not immediately released.

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