PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Port Arthur's annual Fourth of July fireworks display is being blamed for igniting a large grass fire during the show.
Smoke and the glow of flames could be seen on Pleasure Island not far from where the fireworks were being shot off Wednesday night.
Hundreds of Port Arthur residents watched the show and fire from the seawall across the Intracoastal Waterway from the island.
The fire, which was sparked by the fireworks, burned about 40 acres according to Port Arthur fire chief, Greg Benson.
Port Arthur Fire Battalion Chief Jeremy Holland says a firework's shell went a stray and landed in the dry marsh across the water from the seawall.
The fire began spreading rapidly because the grass was extra dry due to this heat and a lack of rain, according to Holland.
The fireworks seemed to be firing "low and sideways," according to Ricardo Chavez, who was watching from the seawall at the Lamar State College Port Arthur campus.
"They were going sideways to the left and right and made another small fire close to the water," he told 12News Wednesday morning.
It took about 15 Port Arthur firefighters from four engine companies to contain the fire over several hours Benson told 12News.
A maintenance building in the area was threatened but did receive any damage Benson said.
Holland says the department called Bridge City for help.
"They have a brush truck that has 250 gallons of water on it. It's 4-wheel drive and they also have a tanker. I believe it was 3,000 gallons and they were nice enough to send both of those out there to help assist us. We utilize their brush truck and their water supply," Holland said.
Holland says firefighters were on standby when the fire broke out around 9:30 p.m. and the last firefighter did not leave until the flames were put out around 4 a.m.
One firefighter became overheated and dehydrated while fighting the fire but otherwise no one was injured he said.
The Port Arthur Fire Department is exploring getting its own brush truck along with protective equipment for firefighters that is designed for fighting brush fires.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.