An illegal firework explodes above the head of a Contra Costa Firefighter as he attempts to extinguish a vegetation fire caused by illegal fireworks during Fourth of July celebrations in Antioch, Calif., on Thursday, July 4, 2024. The vegetation fire was at the corner of Sycamore Drive and L Street. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
ANTIOCH — A wildfire suspected to have been caused by illegal fireworks burned at least two acres and forced evacuations of residents on a small court Thursday night, fire officials said.
The blaze was one of several chased by Contra Costa Fire Protection District crews during the Fourth of July holiday.
Contra Costa Fire Protection District crews responded to the 2700 block of Hillcrest Avenue about 10:05 p.m. and needed about 55 minutes to get it extinguished, spokesperson Capt. Victor Daniel said.
Crews went door-to-door and evacuated residents on Lotus Street after initial fears the fire might reach homes in the neighborhood.
“Once we were confident in the behavior of the fire, we were able to get them back into their homes,” he said.
The fire burned about two acres and did not burn any structures, according to Daniel. There were no reported injuries. Daniel said investigators have not announced an official cause “but anytime you have vegetation fires on the Fourth of July, that’s the first thing you suspect.”
Earlier, ConFire crews put out a fire on Heaton Court in Antioch that burned about a half-acre, as well as a garage fire at a home on Casitas Court in that city. Both of those fires were suspected to have been caused by fireworks, according to ConFire.
Crews also put out a vegetation fire in Martinez off Michele Drive in Martinez that burned about three acres, and a garage fire on Calaveras Drive in Bay Point, the agency said.
Originally published at Rick Hurd