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Family Loses Home Due To Fireworks Save Email Print
Posted: 7:32 PM Jul 5, 2008
 Last Updated: 9:34 PM Jul 5, 2008
 Reporter: Lynnette Taylor
35 comments
A | A | A

Kids playing with fireworks for the Fourth of July cost one family their home and three of their family pets.

Dare County's Fire Marshall Doug Remaley says they responded to a home on Beach Drive in Kitty Hawk around ten last night.

The home was completely engulfed when they arrived on the scene. Ramaley says, one person was inside, but got out unharmed, but their 2 cats and a dog perished in the flames.

We're told kids threw hot fireworks in garbage can, which then ignited, spreading to the home. No word on any charges.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted by: carrie miskill Location: linthicum maryland on Sep 1, 2008 at 09:36 PM
sorry none of you people really know what happened im the girl who had to wach my beautiful house burn down with my dog that wee had since i was 3 inside!!! if you went through something so horrible and you saw people calling your parents stupid and horrible how would you feel? you guys who want to trash my family need to get your facts straight
Posted by: Colette Location: Pasadena on Jul 11, 2008 at 09:33 AM
People should be more empathetic to this situation. The family lost their family dog that they loved very much and the fire was an accident. Say a prayer for this family as they go through a very rough time mourning the death of a loved one.
Posted by: Faith Location: Linthicum on Jul 10, 2008 at 08:32 PM
We hope two of the pets got out. Remember that family and friends, along with the Lord's help, will return you to a happy home soon. Love you all Miskills!
Posted by: Judy Location: Maryland/OBX on Jul 10, 2008 at 07:21 PM
We are the family that suffered this loss. It was an accident of the classification "smoldering embers accident". My son was not being irresponsible when he and his friend cleaned up the spent fountains. They were purchased legally in Maryland at Costco, and the ignitiion was supervised by my husband (his father). Regret is an understatement for our suffering at not advising these 16 year old boys that they should NOT touch, let alone clean up the remains. My husband thought that I was in the house but I was with the children (all teenagers: 3 boys and 2 girls). He placed me above our belove (blind and diabetic)dog Magothy. As the house has many floors he did not realize I had returned to the neighborhood gathering a block away. No one knew, but the boys, that the spent fountains had been moved from a safe place at the end of our driveway to a 'not safe' place at the other end of the driveway. Yes, as another pointed out this is also where the bikes were normally kept as well.
Posted by: Obama 08 4 Prez! on Jul 8, 2008 at 06:33 PM
This family lost more than just their poor pets, they lost everything. They are most likely in shock. They have to cope with the lost of EVERYTHING. It only takes one time to learn a very hard lesson. I'm sorry for this family, I mean what do you say to a family that has to start over? Who's pictures, clothes, memorabilia ,is gone. I have no words.
Posted by: Chris Location: Greenville on Jul 8, 2008 at 04:47 PM
Good god PET LOVER, I think you made your point about those poor pets. I am surprised you are not crying about all of the pets that have been killed in Iraq by military ordnance. WOW!
Posted by: PET LOVER Location: PET CENTRAL on Jul 8, 2008 at 04:18 PM
This is why ALL FIREWORKS should be COMPLETELY ILLEGAL--not just the ones available to the public, but the ones shot off on the 4th by towns, too. All the FIREWORKS IN THE WORLD are not worth the life of ONE PRECIOUS LOVING PET! The state of NORTH CAROLINA should have to PAY FOR THE LIVES of those WONDERFUL PETS THAT LOST THEIR LIVES! What a horrible, terrible, awful tragedy for those INNOCENT PETS to die a FIERY DEATH like that! Please, please PLEASE ask your LAWMAKERS to make ALL FIREWORKS illegal so no more ADORABLE PETS are sacrificed to the SELFISH DESIRE to see lights in the sky. Those POOR, POOR animals. Those POOR PETS!
Posted by: ANGRY Location: Greenville on Jul 8, 2008 at 09:50 AM
I think its a good thing my whole comment didnt get posted. Pets didnt deserve it. Kids arent allowed to buy fireworks so it HAD to be the parents..DUH
Posted by: TJ Location: Winterville on Jul 7, 2008 at 11:41 PM
Just thank GOD that the children are ok. I hate it for the pets.
Posted by: Grandma Location: Maryland on Jul 7, 2008 at 11:19 PM
I have read all of these comments, and let me begin by saying that the press ran with this without getting all the facts and no one (except those there when it happened) actually know what really happened. If the mother of one of these young men was not sure here son was in good hands, she would not have let him go in the first place. I know this because she is my daughter! My grandson is very responsible, level headed and has never been in trouble. He is devastated that this has happened! When I read the article I felt like I need more information. I know that many of you have been unfairly hard on these people as you know nothing of what happened. I pray for each of you and hope that you never have to endure what this family has. God is a very forgiving man and I know he will forgive all those who chose to jump to their own wrong conclusions and help you realize that you too could be a victim. For the record, I do not believe that fireworks should be legal for public sale.
Posted by: Mike Location: Outer Banks on Jul 7, 2008 at 09:34 PM
Kitty Hawk Fire Dept was on scence within a few mins of the call comming in, and Kill Devil Hills and Southern Shores FDs as mutial aid just a few mins past Kitty Hawk...The fire was advanced when the call came in because the people that were home were on the top story and didn't notice the fire until well after it started. And yes it is very common for fireworks to remain hot and reignite, they should always be thoroughly soaked with water and placed in a metal trash can. Although, I still think the sale and purchase of fireworks should be illegal since setting them off is prohibited
Posted by: me Location: where it happend on Jul 7, 2008 at 07:44 PM
it makes me sick to know you people are blaming the kids and parents for a accident! and get the facts before you start running your mouth!
Posted by: Chris Location: Greenville on Jul 7, 2008 at 07:34 PM
Looks like some parents should have been watching some kids.
Posted by: John Location: Greenville on Jul 7, 2008 at 06:18 PM
To Jill: it is very common for fireworks among other things to re-ignite after being placed in a trash can. If they were still hot and still smoldering they could have ignited something else in the trash can, which would have lit that trashcan up in seconds. Even a slight bit of wind could have re-ignited them. I have seen it happen not only with fireworks but with fireplace ash being disposed of as well.
Posted by: Jill Location: Greenville on Jul 7, 2008 at 02:55 PM
To Anonymous:Please explain how these fireworks that were thrown away while the kids were cleaning up started a fire? Did they light the fireworks before placing them in the garbage can? Fireworks do not ignite themselves.
Posted by: MADDOG Location: U.S.A. on Jul 7, 2008 at 01:42 PM
Be more clean,,,What is a trash can doing under the House?

EDITOR'S NOTE: That's a common practice at the beach....the "first floor" is actually where you park your car, store your bikes, boogie boards, etc along with the trash cans.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 7, 2008 at 12:14 PM
I know the family that lost their house in this accident, ---no where does it mention that it took the fire department 30 minutes to arrive! The kids were cleaning up and threw away some that had not gone off---these are what caught fire in the trash can that was UNDER the house. This is a good responsible family....bad things happen to good people.
Posted by: ANGRY Location: Greenville on Jul 7, 2008 at 09:22 AM
Those pets didnt deserve to die. Am I being harsh, You better believe it. People will never learn.

Comment Edited.

Posted by: Mike Location: Outer Banks on Jul 6, 2008 at 11:42 PM
I think this shows exactly why fireworks should be illegal to sell or purchase. Its already illegal to set them off at least in Dare County where this happened, but when the retailers are still selling them and people buy them and set them off like crazy. I'm a firefighter and due to their popularity around this holiday its amazing how many dozens of calls we had to answer based off of fire works. This was the biggest call but there were a few dozen brush fires that started by the fire works and it takes a great deal of resources away from other emergency situations. I think that for the greater good they should ban the sales of fire works. I mean they're illegal to set off so why not to buy and sell?
Posted by: anonymouse on Jul 6, 2008 at 10:54 PM
Also, the fireworks were not illegal.Please stop making assumptions
Posted by: anonymous on Jul 6, 2008 at 10:52 PM
It sickens me to hear people making assumptions about people they do not know after reading 4 small paragraphs.These are loving and very attentive parents!The children were NOT setting off fireworks unattended.They tried to get the pets out, and did leave a way out but the house went up too fast.
Posted by: Stephanie Location: Eastern NC on Jul 6, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Im concerned the kids had fireworks but what about the pets..if one person was left in the house why didn't they grab them or leave a door open for them to get out....a house is replacable...pets are more difficult to replace.
Posted by: sad kid Location: beargrass on Jul 6, 2008 at 07:09 PM
Oh well stuff happens and to you jville girl you need to watch mouth.
Posted by: sad parent Location: Williamston on Jul 6, 2008 at 05:33 PM
Some of you are right, this story does leave a lot out, therefore I feel no one has the right to judge at all. There is no ages here. And bottle rocks and basic fire works can be bought on any corner in america around the 4TH. That doesn't make these people bad parents. And the kids COULD have been outside. People do keep trash cans outside you know? And for J'Ville girl, you may not have had any problems with your child so far, but trust me when she gets a little older, you will reap everything you have ever said about another parent. It does come home to you, so be careful. And other people are not watching your child as closely as you may think.
Posted by: So Sad Location: Washington on Jul 6, 2008 at 04:34 PM
I agree - accidents do happen. However, children of any age need direct supervision, especially when you are doing fireworks.
Posted by: bill Location: Greenville on Jul 6, 2008 at 04:04 PM
How did the kids get illegal fireworks?
Posted by: Key on Jul 6, 2008 at 12:12 PM
I agree that accidents happen. I can be in the same room with my children and turn my head for one second and they have gotten into some of everything. Thank God it has been nothing major. My prayers go out to this family.
Posted by: MADDOG Location: U.S.A. on Jul 6, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Hey,Jville Girl, Who do you think you are? You can't just out the Blue call someone HORRIBLE PARENTS.You don't know what was going on.Were you there? You are not perfect,,no one is. NO ONE not even you can watch a kid ever min.,,,No one can so don"t even tell that. If This make you Mad,,,I DON"T CARE....Get the Facts ,,then mouth off.
Posted by: parent on Jul 6, 2008 at 10:56 AM
To those of you who talk about other parents not watching there children. I agree with me on this one....and to Jville Girl your time is coming your daughter is only 9 and you may not have had any problems yet or maybe you have and just not saying but every parent has their faults including you....So let the harsh comments go especially if you do not know the whole story...You do not know if they we horrible parents or not ....Accidents Happen....
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Washington on Jul 6, 2008 at 06:52 AM
My heart goes out to the owner of the home on not lone the lose of their home but their pets also. The article does not say how old the kids are or where/how they obtained the fireworks. Was it the home owners children or someone elses children? This article leaves a lot of unanswered questions. In VA a teen is facing felony charges for setting a soy bean feild on fire with fireworks.
Posted by: Jville Girl Location: Jville NC on Jul 6, 2008 at 12:13 AM
Becky, u are exactly right. My daughter is 9 and I have my eye on her always. If she is @ camp or school another responsible person is paying attention. These horrible parents probably were raised the same way. No attention and allowed 2 do whatever they wanted. It's time 2 wake up people, what kind of world are we gonna have?
Posted by: me Location: anywhere on Jul 5, 2008 at 09:57 PM
Why do people assume they know all of the facts of any story???? I don't know anyone who can watch a child, of any age, for every second of every day. That's why it's called an accident.

Edited per "Hey Read The Rules".

Posted by: Becky Location: Washington on Jul 5, 2008 at 09:18 PM
The kids should had not been allowed to play with fireworks, and in the house. How stupid. Parents now of days are just not looking out for their children,and it's sad.
Posted by: Ned Location: Greenville on Jul 5, 2008 at 07:46 PM
Accidents will happen.
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