Volunteer fire department's fireworks signs reported stolen

For the past 14 years, the Grassy Forks Volunteer Fire Department (GFVD) has relied on its annual Fourth of July fireworks sales to help fund the department.

This past week something went missing.

Grassy Forks Fire Chief Walt Cross reports that three of GFVD’s signs advertising “Fireworks — No Tax” with an arrow pointing traffic to take the Hartford exit, were stolen from the westbound side of I-40 between exit 451 and 447.

The fireworks stand is located off Exit 447 and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The signs on the eastbound side of I-40 heading out of Newport toward North Carolina were not touched.

“They only stole the canvas signs and left the posts,” Cross said. “These are the signs Grassy Forks uses to inform folks coming into Tennessee from North Carolina that we have fireworks to sell.”

He said that by removing those signs, traffic does not know about its fireworks and to stop in Hartford.

Cross said the fireworks stand has become a significant funding vehicle for the department during its annual two weeks of sales, relying upon it in order to run the fire department for the year.

All of the funds raised selling fireworks go to the fire department.

“Over the years of selling fireworks and saving funds, these fireworks sales made it possible to build the fire station located in Hartford and the two fire trucks stationed in Hartford,” Cross said. “Grassy Fork Volunteer Fire Department also uses these funds to fund the numerous costs of running both the Grassy Fork and Hartford stations.”

A report regarding the stolen signs was made with the Cocke County Sheriff’s Office.

No suspects have been identified.