6/14/2009

We hope fireworks don't cause problems in Saline County

Needlessly put in harm's way

This old horse does not really need another beating, but we can't help but comment on Saline County Commission's lifting of its fireworks ban.

The change means the fire-starters can be purchased and lit in rural areas of the county. Lifting the ban does not affect restrictions in Salina, which allows a few tiny items to be triggered within the city limits.

Our comments today are based on a fire 10 days ago in the small central Kansas town of Emmett, in Pottawatomie County. Investigators say a boy playing with fireworks sparked a blaze that destroyed three buildings.

A family lost its home and some of its pets. A bar owner lost a business. A warehouse was destroyed.

Beside those losses, crews from nearby towns St. Marys, Onaga and Havensville had to be called in to battle the blaze. Thank heavens no one was injured.

It's impossible to know if this accident would have been avoided if the community had tighter restrictions on fireworks. But there are good odds a fireworks ban would have reduced the availability.

Similarly, by lifting Saline County's fireworks ban, commissioners made it more likely that in the days around July Fourth we will see more fires, more property damage and more firefighters and other emergency personnel put in harm's way.

Public safety officials expressed concern over lifting the ban, but commissioners apparently gave those words little thought, and gave more weight to those who campaigned in support of fireworks sales.

And who were the most vocal in their support? Those who sell fireworks.

We pray our county will never be subject to fireworks-related blazes, property damage or injuries. But if we are, then the responsibility will fall squarely on Saline County commissioners who ignored safety warnings.

-- Tom Bell

Editor & Publisher

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