Hillsborough fire crews responded to several fireworks-related fires, injuries on the 4th of July

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Hillsborough County Fire Rescue crews responded to hundreds of emergency calls on Independence Day, which included several structure fires and fireworks-related injuries.

The fire department posted two examples of fireworks-related house fires to its Facebook page.

The fires happened in Riverview and Seffner. Crews arrived to find heavy flames at each location and extinguished the fires without incident.

“These fires were two of nine significant calls related to fireworks (including two traumatic injuries),” the Facebook post said.

The fire department said that with the holiday weekend just getting started, residents should keep the following safety tips in mind when handling fireworks:

• Keep a bucket of water or hose nearby, and completely submerge or soak used and dud fireworks.
• Light fireworks outdoors on a flat surface away from buildings, dry grass, and flammable materials.
• Never attempt to relight malfunctioning fireworks.
• Do not point fireworks at people or buildings.

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