City police and fire officials provide report on Independence Day calls

Other than the explosion of fireworks that went off around town on Saturday, city officials had a relatively quiet Independence Day holiday.

According to Kennett Fire Department Assistant Chief Paul Spain, the department responded to a few grass fires and one structure fire related to fireworks during the holiday.

The structure fire occurred on the outside wall of the house at 401 North Vandeventer Street on Saturday and resulted in a melted plastic window and some exterior damage, according to Spain.

Spain said the department responded to two injuries due to the misuse of fireworks in the days leading up to the holiday.

In total, Spain said the department responded to a total of five calls, fire and medical, on July 4, which he added was no worse than a normal day.

At the Kennett Police Department (KPD), Barry Tate, police chief, said that in the week prior to July 4, and through July 7, the department received a total of 140 firework complaint calls.

As for crime, Tate noted there was nothing out of the ordinary.

Tate said only one person was arrested on Saturday for drunk driving, a 31-year-old Kennett man.

Like other cities and the state police, Tate said the KPD generally adds a few officers to the patrols on Independence Day as a way to keep the streets safe. He also said the department usually has officers in place at the gathering areas where people come to watch the city's fireworks show.

Tate said the streets were littered with firework debris following Saturday night, however, Street Commissioner Randy Carter had the street sweepers out Monday, cleaning up the trash.

As for the firework show, Mayor Roger Wheeler said the show was short, however, due to increasing costs, he is not faulting the company who presented the show.

Wheeler said he heard from several people that the show was well presented while it lasted.

"If our revenue continues to flow in at the rate it is now, fireworks will not be considered for next year's budget," Wheeler added.