Hoffman Estates teen sets house ablaze with illegal fireworks

Illegal fireworks set off by a 13-year-old boy who was home alone Wednesday evening were the likely cause of a house fire in Hoffman Estates, firefighters said.

Police say the teen obtained the sparkler-type fireworks from a convenience store at 1262 Freeman Road. Authorities wouldn't name the store, but a clerk who answered the phone there confirmed it was the Mom and Pop Deli and Pantry.

Brijesh Patel and Nitin Patel were both cited for illegal sale and possession of fireworks at the store, police said. They're scheduled to appear at a village administrative hearing on July 7.

Deputy Fire Chief John Mayer said the teen, who was not ticketed, admitted to shooting off the fireworks behind his home around 6 p.m. Wednesday on the 4100 block of Victoria Drive.

Fireworks, both used and unused, were found around the property, and Mayer said the department had virtually ruled out other possible causes.

After setting off the fireworks, the teen went back inside and began to play his guitar with a headset on, unaware he'd set the house on fire, Mayer said.

Someone spotted smoke and called 911, and the teen had been escorted out of the house by the time firefighters got there and found heavy black smoke and flames coming from the rear of the attached garage.

Damage was estimated at $75,000 and the home was deemed uninhabitable for at least a couple of days.

With the Fourth of July holiday approaching, Mayer said the incident is a good reminder that fireworks are not just illegal in most suburbs but dangerous. Leave the fireworks displays to the professionals, he said.

"We encourage people who are desirous to see fireworks to come down to the village's Fourth of July celebration," he said.

Mayer noted that this is a time of year "when kids finally get out of school and are bored and looking for things to do," making playing with fireworks tempting.

Twenty-four firefighters responded to the blaze, which was snuffed out within seven minutes.

Like many Northwest suburbs, Hoffman Estates outlaws a variety of fireworks, including firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, Roman candles, sparklers, blank cartridges and toy cannons that use explosives.

Discharge or possession of fireworks brings a $50 fine for the first offense in Hoffman Estates.