MIDDLEBURG, Fla. – An apartment fire at Hunter’s Run Apartments in Clay County displaced six families on Friday night.
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Officials said on Saturday that the initial cause “appears to be children setting off fireworks.”
The update from Clay County Fire Rescue said the residents were evacuated, and that the Red Cross is helping.
“You want to make sure you have a fire extinguisher or functioning hose nearby,” Detective James Holloway said. “Keep children and pets a safe distance when lighting fireworks.”
Holloway is a part of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad. Fireworks during this time of year fall into his work flow.
He said fireworks in Florida can only be set off on three days without an agricultural exception:
- Fourth of July
- New Year’s Eve
- New Year’s Day
“There’s the potential for up to a $500 minimum fine for any violation,” Holloway said. “However, other factors may factor into that such as property damage or injury or loss of life.”
He added that homeowner’s associations and other local government’s are allowed to set stricter regulations.
He encouraged people to contacted their governing bodies for guidance before setting off fireworks.