July Fourth Calmer Than Typical for East Pierce Fire Department

Despite a house fire and two small outdoor fires, it was a quiet Fourth of July for the firefighters at East Pierce Fire and Rescue.

According to East Pierce Battalion Chief Jay Adams, firefighters responded to 23 emergency calls on July 4, a typical call volume for an average day. Of those, only three were fireworks related, including a house fire on Ridgewest Drive East, on the southwest side of Lake Tapps.

Just before 11 p.m. on July 4, a neighbor noticed that the roof of a nearby house was on fire. He called 911 and alerted the homeowner. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the blaze and save the home. Fire officials say the cause was a bottle rocket that had landed on the cedar shake roof. Crews cut holes in the roof to ensure the fire was completely extinguished. However, the home was still livable and the homeowner was able to remain in the house.

Two small, shrub fires were also fireworks related, but were swiftly doused. The fire department reports no fireworks-related injuries.

--

East Pierce provides fire and emergency medical response services to approximately 83,000 residents living in a 152-square-mile area that includes Bonney Lake, Sumner, Edgewood, Milton, South Prairie, Wilkeson, the Ridge Communities and the area around Lake Tapps.