Firework burns embankment near Superior's Memorial Bridge
A Fourth of July fire broke out on an embankment off West Mullan Road, and could be seen from the Memorial Bridge in Superior. Two-hundred yards of the steep band were burned, and no injuries were reported. The fire was caused by a firework mortar. (Kathleen Woodford/Mineral Independent)
Fireworks continued to shoot into the air as approximately a dozen members from the Superior Volunteer Fire Department fought to put out a July 4 grass fire in Superior. The call came into Mineral County dispatch around 11 p.m., where Superior Fire Chief Steve Temple and volunteer Calvin Berry arrived at the scene.
The blaze was down the embankment behind the old Superior Color and Lumber store off West Mullan Road, and could be seen from the Mineral County Veterans Memorial Bridge on River Street. A second call went out soon after the first, where a total of three units converged, including the fire engine, brush truck and fire tender with all 3,000 gallons of water used. The fire was caused by a firework mortar which burned approximately 200 feet of the steep bank. Temple said they had to rappel a firefighter down the embankment with a fire hose to reach it.
“It was surreal to be fighting the flames while fireworks were going up all around us,” said Temple about the incident.
No injuries were reported, but a shed was scorched. Crews managed to put out the blaze within 45 minutes. No charges were filed.