Calif. Firefighter's House Burns After Fireworks Ignite

A fire early Monday in north Merced, sparked by smoldering fireworks, burned two homes, including one owned by an on-duty Merced city firefighter.

Flames broke out around 3:30 a.m. on Theresa Lane, melted two gas lines and struck a propane tank, causing major damage to firefighter Kevin Buccola’s home. The fire caused about $5,000 in damages to his neighbor’s home and more than $30,000 to his house, firefighters said.

“I’ve seen them burn in other garbage cans, but I’ve never had to come to my own house for a fire,” Buccola said Monday.

Firefighters said early damage estimates could change after investigations are completed.

Battalion Chief Billy Alcorn said teenagers in the area were playing with fireworks and apparently didn’t properly dispose of them afterward. The smoldering fireworks were discarded in a plastic trash bins and eventually caught fire, Alcorn said.

Buccola was on-duty at the time, stationed at the firehouse on 21st Street in Merced, when he received a phone call telling him his house was burning.

“We don’t respond to this area from that station, it’s outside our area, but everybody knew it was my home,” Buccola said.

A total of 16 city firefighters responded to the blaze and remained on scene for nearly four hours mopping up the blaze.

Neighbors reported hearing loud popping sounds, a loud explosion when flames reached a propane tank attached to an outdoor grill and the hissing sound of open gas lines.

Alcorn called it an “unfortunate” reminder of the need to properly dispose of fireworks during the coming Fourth of July festivities.

Buccola said he has a place to say, but said he wouldn’t know how long he’ll be without his home until he speaks with his insurance company.

“I don’t mind fireworks, but people think they’re just fun things and don’t understand about lighting them the right way or and getting rid of them,” Buccola said. “You should put them in a bucket of water and leave them overnight.”