SARATOGA SPRINGS, Utah, June 27, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — The Utah County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday that two Saratoga Springs teens will be charged for starting a fire while illegally using fireworks.
Utah County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the fire at about 1:30 p.m. Monday, as did the Utah County Fire Department and fire departments from Saratoga Springs, Unified and Lehi.
Two boys, ages 14 and 16, had reportedly been setting off fireworks before the period such use is allowed — three days before and after July 4 and 24.
The fire spread to about 4.4 acres before crews could extinguish it and remaining hot spots, a task that took about nine hours.
Fighting the fire cost $12,000 to $14,000, according to a news release from the Utah County Sheriff’s Office.
“Those responsible for starting fires like this one can be required to reimburse those expenses,” the UCSO statement said.
A parent of one of the boys reported the fire. Both teens will be referred to Juvenile Court on charges of lighting fireworks outside of allowed days, an infraction, and lighting fireworks in a restricted area, a class B misdemeanor.
