No fireworks-related fires or injuries reported, says fire chief

DOWNEY — Downey Fire Chief Anthony Hildebrand says this year’s Fourth of July holiday was notably quieter than usual, with no reported structure fires or injuries related to fireworks.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Hildebrand praised the combined efforts of the Downey Fire and Police departments for ensuring public safety over the holiday weekend.

“Call volume on and around the 4th was below our historic average,” said Hildebrand. “We had no structure fires related to fireworks and no fireworks-related injuries. I am grateful for the combined efforts of Downey Fire Department and Downey Police in ensuring the safety of our community over the holiday weekend.”

On Independence Day, the Downey Fire Department responded to 33 incidents, including three fires — two rubbish fires and one dumpster fire — as well as 25 medical calls, four false alarms, and one mutual aid response for burn injuries outside the city.

Over the full holiday weekend, from July 4-6, firefighters responded to a total of 105 incidents. These included seven fires — two rubbish fires, one dumpster fire, one tree fire, one vehicle fire, and two residential fires, though none were fireworks-related.

Medical emergencies remained the bulk of activity, with 84 total medical calls. Crews also handled five false alarms, one service call, and eight mutual aid responses to neighboring cities — a typical number for a three-day period, according to the department.