by Josh Lanier and Josh Carpenter

CORNELIUS – Cornelius police charged Brent Jensen, of 7610 Woods Lane, with a misdemeanor for possession and discharging illegal fireworks on Sunday, July 3, after a wayward firework sparked a blaze at his condominium.

Police Capt. Jeff Ramsey said the fire started when a fireworks tube about 2 inches in diameter shot in the wrong direction and landed in a bush and pine needles. That started a small fire that rushed up the side of the building and into the attic of shared condominiums at 7619 Woods Lane.

Fire department units from Huntersville and Cornelius responded to the call at 9:50 p.m., Ramsey said.

The top floor apartment received the majority of the fire damage, and the unit below it suffered some water damage, Chief Fire Marshal Mark Auten said. A damage estimate was not available.

Firefighters also responded to a small brush fire at the Bexley Commons at Rosedale apartment complex when a firework shot off in the wrong direction and landed in some shrubs, Auten said.

In all, the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshal’s office investigated 14 fires over the July 4 weekend, and investigators blamed fireworks for four of the fires.

“The biggest thing to think with fireworks is safety first,” Auten said. “They are dangerous, and you should always be aware of that.”

Fireworks that leave the ground are illegal in North Carolina.

Find more information on fireworks safety online at www.fireworksafety.com.