MSHP urges Mid-Missouri drivers and boaters to celebrate safely as July Fourth weekend closes
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Boone County Fire Protection District and Missouri State Highway Patrol told ABC 17 News Saturday they had already responded to multiple calls over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Boone County Fire crews responded to a structure fire late Friday night in the 300 block of North Williams Road. The fire was caused by fireworks that had been improperly disposed of, according to Boone County Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Gale Blomenkamp.
Blomenkamp said the residents placed a box of used fireworks outside next to their home that later ignited and started a fire. No injuries were reported.
"People need to use caution," Blomenkamp said. "Be careful what you do and watch out for where the fallout is, and then obviously dispose of them [fireworks] properly or leave them set overnight where they're at on the ground. Leave them away from the house. Let them sit. Let them cool off. Pick them up tomorrow morning."
He said BCFPD has not responded to any medical calls related to fireworks this holiday weekend.
Missouri State Highway Patrol Superintendent Colonel Michael A. Turner is urging everyone to make smart choices both on the roads and on the water.
Since 6 p.m. Thursday, MSHP Troop F has reported 18 crashes. No boating incidents or drownings have been reported as of Saturday evening.
Troopers have also made 17 arrests for driving or boating while intoxicated during the Fourth of July weekend.
Sergeant Kyle Green said he hopes the numbers do not rise as the weekend comes to a close Sunday.
“We haven't had any traffic fatalities either on the road or on the water, which is fantastic," Green said. "And we hope it stays that way. It's hard to predict, obviously, what will play out over the next two days as people enjoy the rest of their weekend and then start heading home."
Officials remind people to never operate a vehicle or boat after consuming alcohol. They also warn that it is illegal to discharge fireworks from a boat. All fireworks should be lit safely from shore.
Green said all available MSHP troopers will be patrolling roads and waterways through the entire holiday weekend.
In 2024, 14 people were killed and more than 500 injured in over 1,300 Missouri crashes during the Fourth of July weekend.
State troopers also reported 10 boating crashes, which resulted in seven injuries but no fatalities.
Between Thursday night and Sunday night last year, troopers made 149 arrests for driving while intoxicated and 12 arrests for boating while intoxicated.
