City urging caution after fireworks complaints
City authorities are urging people to be cautious regarding fireworks this holiday weekend after use of the celebratory explosives Thursday night caused fires at two North Side schools and another in the Hill District.
Police said the fireworks task force received 85 fireworks complaint calls across all six police zones Thursday. Three of those calls were “another strong reminder of the dangers of fireworks in the city,” Pittsburgh police spokeswoman Cara Cruz said.
State law prohibits the use of all fireworks, including those that are legal, within 150 feet of any structure, police said. They are also prohibited in all parks, any public space and on private property without consent of the landowner. Releasing sky lanterns is also illegal.
Violators of the law are subject to a $100 fine and possible seizure of their fireworks.
An order from the Allegheny County Health Department earlier this week that bars and restaurants be temporarily closed, as well as restrictions on gatherings of 25 people or more, came due to recent spikes in coronavirus cases. Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich acknowledged this Fourth of July weekend would not be “the kind Pittsburghers are used to.”
“It’s frustrating that we can’t gather and celebrate with our usual, grand fireworks display that everyone can enjoy,” Mr. Hissrich said.
“Many people will be tempted to put on their own displays, but I urge them to refrain and celebrate in other ways in order to stay safe during these challenging times.”
The roof of the former Horace Mann School on the North Side caught fire before midnight after a group of people were shooting fireworks at the school’s baseball field. Police said they had warned the group 40 minutes prior to stop and clean up. The two-alarm blaze caused about $60,000 in damages to the abandoned elementary school building, which closed in 2006. Fourth River Development was hired by the school district to market the building. It was built in 1874.
No injuries were reported.
A child suffered a minor burn to her foot during dance class after a firework was thrown into the gym at McNaugher School on the North Side, police said. And a large brush fire believed to be caused by fireworks on Rose Street in the Hill District was put out before it could cause serious damage or injuries.
No arrests have been made, and authorities are investigating each incident. Anyone with information is asked to call the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police at 412-323-7800.