Fireworks debris causes house fire

A belated July Fourth fireworks celebration ended with a house fire Sunday night in Orland.

The fire occurred around 11:06 p.m. at 347 Bell Way, according to Orland Police Sergeant Terry Baker and Officer Michael Stover.

The Elliot family used its fireworks in the street Sunday night, Stover said, and later packed the debris into some plastic bags that apparently were stored in the garage.

Stover said investigators suspect the bag smoldered and an hour later the family smelled smoke and went outside to find the garage on fire. Everyone exited the house.

They called 9-1-1 and the Orland Fire Department responded along with Orland PD, Stover said.

“When we got there, the front of the garage and house was on fire,’’ Stover said, “and the front ends of two vehicles in the driveway were engulfed in flames.’’

Wade Elliot, 45, Blythe Elliot, 44, Aaron Elliot, 20, and James Elliot, 9, were residents of the home, Stover said. Also present was an 11-year-old boy and Jennie Munson, 20.

Stover said no citations were issued at this time, and no damage estimate is available right now. Most of the damage was done to the garage and the two vehicles, he added.

The fire also hit a home next door at 345 Bell Way and did some damage, Stover said, but the fire department got the blaze out there quickly. A vacant home to the east was not affected by the fire.

Stover said an arson investigator was notified about the fire and reportedly may look into the incident, but he had no information on that at this point.

The Elliots’ insurance adjuster also is to examine the damage, Stover said.

He said the Elliots and their guests refused assistance from the American Red Cross and chose to go to friends’ homes in the area.

Contact reporter Rick Longley at 934-6800 or rlongley@tcnpress.com.