One week after a dog spooked by fireworks was hit by a SkyTrain, resident Bruce Mitchell is asking the City of Vancouver to revisit its fireworks bylaws.
On Oct. 29 2015, Mitchell’s East Vancouver home was burned to the ground in a fire caused by an errant firecracker. Mitchell’s two cats were killed in the fire, and he barely escaped with his life. When he heard that a dog had died this year after fireworks frightened her so much she bolted, Mitchell knew he had to speak up.
Within seconds, thick black smoke was pouring up the stairs, cutting off Mitchell’s exit. The 103-year-old wood frame house went up in flames almost instantly. The cats bolted. Mitchell escaped out the back deck and down a ladder with the help of his neighbours. The smoke and flames spread so quickly that had he been sleeping, he probably would not have survived.
Authorities confirmed that the blaze had been ignited by a firecracker. Mitchell’s neighbours reported seeing a group of young men dash away and leave the scene in a car. The group was questioned and released without charges.
The city of Vancouver bylaws allow sales of fireworks from Oct. 25 to 31, with the stipulation that users apply for a permit, be over the age of 19 and use the fireworks only on Oct. 31 and on private property. Mitchell says the bylaw is clearly unenforceable. When he saw the story about Maggie, a local lab-chow, who ran away last week after a firework spooked her in a public park, Mitchell reached out to share his experience.
“I lost everything I owned, and my two cats lost their lives.” Mitchell wonders how many other tragedies have to happen before officials reconsider Vancouver’s annual fireworks bonanza. “Had fireworks been banned in Vancouver it might have prevented the death of this dog and the burning down of my house,” said Mitchell.
Surrey, Richmond and North Vancouver have a standing ban on fireworks. Vancouver fire and rescue information officer Jonathan Gormick said most of the problems with fireworks are related to illegal and underground sales on sites such as Craigslist.
“We’re keen on finding the safest regulation possible,” said Gormick. Working with mayor and council, Gormick said permitting, education and enforcement is the most effective strategy. Since the city’s permitting bylaw went into effect nine years ago, Gormick said people have been less likely to buy from underground sources and there has been close to a 75 per cent reduction in firework-related incidents.