Illegal fireworks blamed for fire that damages two homes in Atwater

ATWATER, Calif. (KFSN) -- Two families in Atwater are looking for a place to stay after an illegal firework landed between their homes, and sparked a fire.

Crews arrived to see both homes in flames near Fay and Briarwood. Firefighters quickly contained the blaze at one house, but the other sustained severe damage in the attic.

Firefighters say they stayed busy this Fourth of July while dealing with firework related calls.

"Anything that basically flies through the air is an illegal firework. They call them dangerous fireworks. And basically that's the reason we don't want them around. The Safe and Sane are basically going to stay on the ground and we can control them," said Jane Schmitz, Atwater Fire Department.

Fire officials say both families are lucky to have escaped the flames before it spread any further. No one was hurt in the house fires.