Fire Marshal’s Office Requests Assistance with Fireworks Related Arson

Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department’s Fire Marshal’s Office requests the public’s assistance in obtaining information related to a string of fireworks-related incidents that occurred Tuesday evening, including one case of arson.

District 1, Engine 3, and Rescue 8 responded to 365 S. Bilbro around 5:30 pm Tuesday.

Crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire and immediately went into rescue mode…searching for 10 cats, three of which were kittens.

Nine of the animals were rescued by the firefighters and one escaped on its own.

The Fire Marshal’s Office was called to investigate and with the help of the homeowners, was able to obtain video evidence of a firework being shot into the home.

In the same night, crews responded to two other incidents involving fireworks; one at 450 N State Street which resulted in a small ground-level exterior fire and the other in the area of Sun Circle. The Sun Circle incident involved a vehicle that fortunately was not damaged.

The Fire Marshal’s Office and Murfreesboro Police Department need your help. These incidents are believed to be related. If you have any information regarding any or all of these incidents, please contact MFRD’s Fire Marshals’ Office at 615-849-2605 or Rutherford County Crime Stoppers at 615-893-STOP (7867) Monday through Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm. Callers will remain anonymous and cash rewards of up to $1,000 are offered for information leading to the arrest of persons of interest. You may also contact the Tennessee Arson Hotline at 1-800-762-3017 for a cash award of up to $5,000.

The Fire Marshal’s Office would also like to remind the public that there are rules and regulations in place for fireworks use and sales inside the city limits of Murfreesboro.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING CITY FIREWORKS REGULATIONS

In the city limits of Murfreesboro, it is only permissible to use fireworks on July 3rd, 4th, and 5th between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.

Seasonal sales of fireworks are only permitted from June 28th-July 5th from State-approved retailers.

It is unlawful for any person to use any item of fireworks on private property without the consent of the property owner. It is also unlawful for any person to use any item of fireworks on public property including public streets, unless it is part of an approved public display.

The City of Murfreesboro prohibits the sell, use, or possession of any mortar firework with a single tube, if that tube has been preloaded with a shell and the tube or shell has a diameter of one and a half inches. Anyone in the city limits is also prohibited from selling, using, or possessing reloadable fireworks and bottle rockets.