The City of Wichita and Sedgwick County had a busy few days dealing with fireworks complaints and fires.
The non-emergency nuisance call line received 826 calls through Tuesday night with noise and other fireworks complaints.
But officials report that the emergency 911 calls were up to 2000 a day versus a regular load of 1500.
Five fires were started last night, including one reported in a truck bed while the truck was driving down the road. Another fire was started on the exterior wall of a garage.
Acting Fire Marshall Stuart Bevis said Wednesday the owner did tell investigators that he had exhausted fireworks in a trash can there.
"That was a very significant loss – about 30,000 to structure, 50,000 to contents and occupants were assisted by Red Cross," Bevis said.
Bevis says people should leave fireworks outside, put them in a bucket, hose them down and let them soak overnight.
Nuisance Complaints to the Non-Emergency Line 6:30 p.m., July 1, to 3 a.m., July 2 – 137 calls 6:30 p.m., July 2, to 3 a.m., July 3 – 121 calls 6:30 p.m., July 3, to 3 a.m., July 4 – 174 calls 6:30 p.m., July 4, to 3 a.m., July 5 – 394 calls
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Aileen LeBlanc is news director at KMUW. Follow her on Twitter @Aileen_LeBlanc.
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