Fire Marshal: Any Fireworks in Town on the Fourth Would Be Illegal
Two public entities oversee the use of fireworks in East Hampton; the town’s fire marshal and the Connecticut State Police.
Fire Marshal Richard Klotzbier is responsible for fire safety. His office assesses fire risk, inspects buildings, and investigates fires after the fact. He does not hand out fireworks permits.
That job belongs to the state police, which oversees the permitting process for any supervised public fireworks display. So if a display near Lake Pocotopaug is going to happen legally this weekend, state police are the ones who would need to approve it. The local fire marshal would then conduct a site inspection and help the approval process.
Without a permit, a fireworks display would be illegal. Klotzbier confirmed that no permits had been granted in East Hampton and all fireworks occurring in town around Independence Day would be illegal.
East Hampton residents do not need a hypothetical to understand why that distinction matters. Last July, illegal fireworks launched from a pontoon boat on Lake Pocotopaug exploded too close to the deck and set the boat on fire. Two people jumped overboard and were rescued by nearby boaters with minor burns. The Hartford Bomb Squad was called in afterward to deal with unexploded fireworks, and three men eventually faced charges and were held on $10,000 bonds.
Town fireworks traditionally have been spearheaded by the local fire department, which raised private funds to pay for the show. In a Facebook post last year, town Fire Chief Robb Rainville noted that the volunteer department would not do fireworks this year “due to fundraising issues.”
“We are sorry to disappoint the community,” he wrote.
This year’s celebrations are complicated by the nesting bald eagles on the lake. Wildlife biologists have suggested fireworks should not be used until the chicks have fledged. Fireworks after July 15 would be safe. There is also a drought in much of the state, creating dry conditions that could lead to wildfires if fireworks are used.
Editing by David DesRoches.
Have a story to share? Shoot us an email at tips@thebellringer.org