North Texas

Fort Worth Cracks Down on Fireworks

All personal fireworks, even sparklers, are illegal in city limits

A task force of police officers and arson investigators is hitting the streets of Fort Worth looking for anyone with fireworks.

Possession of any kind of fireworks, even sparklers, are illegal in city limits. Fines could range up to $4,000.

The city created a task force of 11 teams to go neighborhood to neighborhood.

On Sunday night, they responded to 188 calls, seized 106 pounds of fireworks and issued 11 citations, according to the fire department.

The city said the crackdown is to prevent people from getting hurt and buildings from burning.

"I've personally seen and worked cases where we've lost multiple homes at one time over a single firework," said Fort Worth Fire Department arson investigator Brad Sims. "I worked a case where we lost four homes."

Sims also remembered a man who lost his eye because of a fireworks accident.

The task force started work several days ago and will continue working through the Fourth of July.

The city encourages people to enjoy professional fireworks displays like the large one at Panther Pavilion Tuesday night.

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