Fireworks in Kyle prompt grass fires

KYLE — Kyle’s annual Independence Day Firework Show was going smoothly until a mishap caused multiple shells to go off at once nearly 10 minutes into the display.

The sky lit up with fireworks and smoke, while a few grass fires broke out after the incident. No one was injured, however, and all the fires were quickly put out. 

“Best I can tell we had a firework show for about nine and a half to 10 minutes and then there was a little malfunction that set a few extra shells off at once,” said Kerry Urbanowicz, Kyle Parks and Recreation Director.

Kyle FireWork Show Blew Up!!! 🤭🤭 that was insane @fox7austin @KVUE pic.twitter.com/MkykDn9Zym

— Steve Castro (@SteveACastro) July 5, 2019

Thursday’s Fourth of July show was supposed to be the largest firework display in city history. Urbanowicz said they estimated the show would last 25 minutes. 

Mike Schultz, Kyle Fire Department Fire Marshall, said they were prepared at the site with main engine and a brush truck.

“The whole ideal is ‘boom, the fireworks go off and we look for sparks and whatever else may come out from those things that cause spot fires,’” Schultz said. “Our brush truck carries 400 gallons of water on it and so we’re able to quickly extinguish those things.”

The City of Kyle is still investigating what caused the malfunction during the display. The city is exploring options to possibly do a re-show or adding a firework show during the Kyle Pie in the Sky festival over Labor Day weekend.

“Whatever the city council wants us to do, would like us to do,” Urbanowicz said. “We’re going to work it out.”