Kelowna resident fined for illegally setting off fireworks, leading to hedge fire in Rutland

KELOWNA – A Kelowna resident will have to pay up after setting off fireworks without a permit, which led to a hedge fire in Rutland.

Kelowna Fire Department Platoon Capt. Tim Light says in a news release that crews responded to a 911 call shortly after 6:15 p.m. yesterday evening, March 20.

They arrived on Primrose Road and found a cedar hedge next to a residence fully involved in fire. Light says the fire stretched to a temporary storage tent on a neighbouring property, but crews were able to extinguish the blaze quickly.

Light says witnesses told crews that people in the neighbourhood had been setting off fireworks and that is what started the hedge fire. The officer on scene questioned a man involved, who admitted he had set off the fireworks.

He was given a ticket for illegally setting off fireworks without a permit which comes with a fine of $250. Light says RCMP followed up with the person as well.

"Kelowna Fire Department would like to remind the public that any use of fireworks in the City of Kelowna is prohibited without the proper licensing and permits," Light says.

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