ROCKINGHAM — As Richmond County residents celebrated Independence Day with their own fireworks this weekend, there were several incidents that resulted in fire crews being called out.
According to Rockingham Fire Chief Harold Isler, a firework was shot into a transformer on Cauthen Drive, causing it to short out.
Several nearby apartments were without power for several hours because of the damage, he said.
The department also responded to a dumpster fire on Cauthen Drive.
Isler said there was also an outdoor fire on Robinson Street caused by a “firework of some sort.”
The Hamlet Fire Department responded to a single fireworks related incident on Earle Franklin Drive after a falling ember set pine straw on fire around a bush, according to Assistant Chief Richard Lassiter.
Unrelated to fireworks, the Rockingham Fire Department to a shorted-out air conditioning unit at the Dollar General Store on Broad Avenue.
Isler said there was no extensive damage, but there was smoke throughout the building.
The Hoffman Fire Department had to remove two trees that blocked both lanes of Little Road Saturday night, Chief Frank McKay said.
According to McKay, the trees were blown down from winds related to a small storm cell that passed through.
