HOUSTON - Houston is the hot spot to be for 4th of July fireworks and people are eager to light the fuse.
“I like the big shells, the ones that go up in the air and go boom,” said Chugiak resident, Tony Carter.
Bryan Knagin and his friends were also buying quite a haul for the holiday. "We bought a lot of stuff like mortars, Roman candles, probably just find a beach and shoot them at each other,” said Knagin.
The Gorilla Fireworks Stand manager says it doesn’t matter what season it is, people are always excited to watch things explode.
“On New Year's they buy a lot more of the boxes because it's cold and they want to do a show where there's not as much time put into it. Whereas on the 4th it's not cold and they want to put some time into it and enjoy them throughout the evening. So you get a lot more roman candles and artillery shells,” said Samantha Parsons.
“They're legal in Houston on private property with the owners permission.”
That’s right. Even though they’re allowed in limited areas during New Year’s even in Anchorage, fireworks are only allowed in Houston on private property on Independence Day.
“The one thing we really want to stress more than anything is fireworks can cause injury. If you're not a professional and you don't know how do deal with them they can cause injury and fires. With it being dry lately, just don't take any chances,” said APD Spokesperson Marlene Lammers.
But residents say they won’t let the rules put a fizzle on their Fourth plans.
“I think it's green and wet enough up here, up around my house I don't see a potential for any fires. I think with the weather we're having right now it's the perfect time to light some fireworks up here in Chugiak,” said Carter.
Knagin agreed, “Why can't we have the 4th of July in town? You have to waste all the gas to go up the road to light of fireworks.”
APD says officers will try to follow up on any calls they receive about people illegally lighting fireworks in Anchorage. The fine is $500.
