Fireworks blamed for fire that destroys West Bloomfield home

Firework lodged in roof smolders for hours before burning home on Comfort Court

WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. – Holes in the roof, shingles charred and foam resting in the gutters. That is the condition a West Bloomfield home was left in after a firework lit up a house on Comfort Court.

The family inside of the home woke up to the sound of the alarm from their smoke detector around 2 a.m. Monday. West Bloomfield Firefighters say the flames started after fireworks landed on the roof of the home.

"This is just a hazard associated with the holiday," said neighbor Gerry Middleton.

Gerry has lived across the street to the homeowner since the early 80s and said when the fireworks display started Sunday night, his neighbor was concerned.

"My wife and son went outside to watch the show," said Middleton. "My wife told me our neighbor was worried about the fireworks because they were healthy sized and showed great concern."

According to West Bloomfield Police – the fireworks show took place in the backyard of a home just two doors down. The show ended around 10:30 p.m., but a firework was lodged in the cedar shake roof, smoldered for hours, before the flames erupted.

"We received the call around 2am, it was a slow burn but the damage is extensive," said Lt. Tim Diamond from West Bloomfield Police.

According to the fire department inside was a the female homeowner, her sister and two children. All made it out without injury. The home is not a total loss and can be repaired but suffers from extensive smoke and water damage.

Now West Bloomfield police and fire are turning to State Law & their local ordinances to find out where they go from here as far as charges are concerned.

"Our local ordinance says residents can only light off fireworks the day before, the day of and day after the national holiday," said Lt. Diamond. "That was clearly the case in this situation."

Because of the extensive damage, charges are expected. Depended whether they are state or local, determines whether they it's a misdemeanor or civil infraction.

"Bottom line, people need to know what they are doing before firing these things," said Lt. Diamond. "We all need to remember what goes up must come down."