July 5, 2023

The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s office has determined that last night’s fire that damaged a New Castle, Delaware house was accidental.

The blaze, reported shortly before 10:00 pm, occurred in the unit block of Onaway Place in the Garfield Park neighborhood.  The Minquadale Fire Company arrived on the scene with flames observed on the rear of the dwelling.

State fire investigators were called to the scene to conduct the investigation.  The fire was caused by discharged fireworks igniting the roof causing an estimated $25,000 damage.  There were no reported injuries.  The American Red Cross responded to provide emergency assistance to one adult.

Office of the State Fire Marshal – Delaware

Michael G. Chionchio

Assistant State Fire Marshal

(302) 739-3312 Office Direct Line

(302) 593-9002 Cell

July 5, 2023

The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s office has determined that last night’s fire that destroyed a house near Camden, Delaware was accidental.

The blaze, reported around 10:30 pm, occurred in the 400 block of Apple Blossom Drive near Walnut Shade Road.  The Camden Wyoming Fire Company arrived on the scene with flames engulfing the two-story house.

Deputy fire marshals were called to the scene to investigate the origin and cause of the fire.  The fire originated on the exterior of the home when spent fireworks were placed inside a trash container after being discharged.  The items inside the trash container ignited and burned up the exterior of the home and into the interior.

Heavy fire damage was estimated at $250,000.  The American Red Cross was requested to provide emergency assistance for one adult and one child.  One firefighter was taken to Bayhealth Kent Campus Hospital for medical evaluation.

Office of the State Fire Marshal – Delaware

Michael G. Chionchio

Assistant State Fire Marshal

(302) 739-3312 Office Direct Line

(302) 593-9002 Cell

Office of the State Fire Marshal – Delaware
Michael G. Chionchio
Assistant State Fire Marshal
(302) 739-3312 Office Direct Line
(302) 593-9002 Cell

The use of consumer fireworks such as firecrackers, bottle rockets, aerial mortars, and anything that leaves the ground is and has always been prohibited to possess or use in the State of Delaware. Hundreds of people are injured, and thousands of fires have occurred throughout the United States due to the use of fireworks.

Novelty items such as sparklers and ground-based fountains are only permitted to be used on July 4th. Consumer fireworks are frequently advertised by mail, radio, television, and billboards for retail sale to Delaware residents to purchase and use. These advertised consumer aerial fireworks are prohibited to possess or discharge.  The pop-up tents frequently seen 30 days prior the July 4th holiday are not permitted to sell anything but sparklers and ground-based items like fountains. Several fires have occurred in trash containers due to spent sparklers and fountains causing damage to homes. This year is especially dangerous to use any consumer fireworks because of the dry conditions.

The safe alternative is to attend a professional, licensed firework show being held throughout Delaware during the month of July. Be courteous to your neighbors and pets. Leave fireworks in the hands of professionals.

For more information on Fireworks in Delaware please visit https://statefiremarshal.delaware.gov/place-assemblies-special-permits/fireworks-display-permits-licensing/

DOVER – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) recommends that residents take steps to keep family, friends, and pets safe during Fourth of July gatherings.

Prevent foodborne illness:
As temperatures rise, so do your chances of contracting a foodborne illness if you do not properly handle and sanitize your food. Be mindful of keeping food out in the hot sun too long and follow the proper procedures for cooking meats and poultry. When bringing food to a picnic or cookout:

• Use an insulated cooler filled with ice or frozen gel packs. Frozen food can also be used as a cold source.

• Foods that need to be kept cold include raw meat, poultry, and seafood; deli and luncheon meats or sandwiches; summer salads (tuna, chicken, egg, pasta, potato or seafood); cut up vegetables and fruits, especially melons; and perishable dairy products.

• A full cooler will maintain its cold temperature longer than a partially filled one. When using a cooler, keep it out of the direct sun by placing it in the shade or shelter.

• Avoid opening the cooler repeatedly so that your food stays colder longer. When hosting an outdoor event.

• Before cooking, keep meats and eggs in a container under 40 degrees F, keeping ice for beverages in a separate container.

• Refrigerate cold foods until they’re ready to be served, keeping them on ice once they are out in the open.

• Have a food thermometer on hand so you can be sure you are cooking meats to their required temperature.

• Burgers and sausage should be cooked to 160 degrees F; chicken and turkey should be cooked to 165 degrees F; and steaks should be cooked to 145 degrees F with a three-minute rest time.

• Food should not be left out longer than two hours (one hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees F).

For more food safety tips, visit http://dhss.delaware.gov/dph/hsp/foodsafety.html or Foodsafety.gov.

Protect your pets from fireworks and loud noises:
The DPH Office of Animal Welfare (OAW) advises pet owners to be aware that fireworks cause many pets to run away, and that holiday foods and heat can be harmful to our four-legged family members. The following tips from the American Veterinary Medical Association can help keep pets are safe from harm during Independence Day celebrations:

• If your pet is sensitive to noises like fireworks or thunder, consult your veterinarian for recommendations on how to ease anxiety caused by fireworks and loud parties. Anxiety medications and treats, “thunder” shirts and behavioral training are all tools to help keep pets calm.

• Leave pets at home if attending gatherings elsewhere. In addition to fireworks, strange places and crowds can spook an animal and cause them to flee. Utilize a crate or escape-proof area of the home during parties and fireworks.

• Those who expect guests during the holiday, or any celebration, should inform their company to be mindful of pets when entering or exiting a home or yard to avoid accidental escapes. Place signs on doors and gates that alert guests to be vigilant about pets.

• Tell guests to refrain from sharing food meant for people as these can upset your pets’ stomach, or worse. After any in-home celebrations, check yards for food scraps and fireworks debris that animals may ingest.

• Make sure sparklers, glow sticks, fireworks, charcoal and skewers are out of reach from your pets.

• Stay vigilant about times when pets are outdoors. Pets are safest inside on hot and humid days. If they must be outside, ensure they have access to fresh water and secondary shade apart from dog and cat enclosures, which can become dangerously hot inside.

• Make sure your pets have identification tags with current owner contact information. Have your pet microchipped, if they aren’t already. A microchip is an affordable device with owner information to ensure pets can return home if they get out and are found by someone else. Make sure the microchip is registered with up-to-date owner contact information.

• If a pet does escape, post its photo and identifying information on the Office of Animal Welfare’s statewide Lost & Found Pet Registry, at animalservices.delaware.gov. Review found pet notices there as well. Your pet may have been found by a neighbor or taken to a local animal shelter.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

July 4th is right around the corner, here is a list of events to celebrate Independence Day in 2018 throughout Delaware.

View events in by dates / times, location and county at The First State Blog