Fireworks trouble in Dickinson

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Dickinson Rural Fire Department responded to a fire caused by fireworks shortly before 10 p.m. Thursday at Patterson Lake Recreation Area, Fire Chief Andy Paulson said. Firefighters extinguished the blaze in about 15 minutes.

DRFD stayed on site for an hour to make sure the area was cleaned up, he said.

There were no injuries or significant damage.

The Stark County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the fire at Patterson Lake, but no citations were issued related to the incident, Capt. Fern Moser said.

That same evening, Dickinson Police Department responded to five calls about fireworks, which are illegal to shoot off within city limits, Capt. Dave Wilkie said.

“And that’s not even very many,” he said of the calls Friday morning. “You just wait till this weekend — it’s gonna go absolutely crazy.”

DPD will issue warnings, citations or lectures, depending on the situation involving fireworks, Wilkie said, adding officers don’t go looking for fireworks users, and only respond to calls or when fireworks are shot off in close proximity to police.

Sparklers, poppers, snakes and similar items can be used in city limits, Wilkie said. The restriction is placed on items that explode.

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