Discarded fireworks ignite, damage home in Johnston County

JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- Fireworks caused a destructive fire at a home in Johnston County early Wednesday morning.

Chopper 11 captured the aftermath on Myrtle Road in Selma.

Investigators said they were called to the home around 1 a.m.

Fireworks, that had already been shot off, likely caused the fire. The fire marshal said even when you think fireworks have cooled off, they may still pose a fire danger.

"There's a lot of variables associated with it, depends on humidity depends on wind speed but it's a lot faster than what you would think, so it can be as quick as minutes or it could sit there for 10-15 minutes and you think everything is safe, but then we have a fire shortly thereafter," Johnston County Fire Marshal Ryan Parker said.

Parker went on to say three other fires -- two in Clayton and another in Brogden -- were also caused by fireworks improperly thrown away.

Fortunately, the family of nine living in the Selma home all got out safely.

Tens of thousands of people came out to enjoy Raleigh 4th of July Fireworks at Dix Park

Selma Fire Department said 50 percent of the home was damaged, and it is not livable in this condition.

In addition, the fireworks that caused the fire had been discarded, not intentionally ignited.

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