New Years Eve fireworks believed to have sparked 2 overnight house fires: AFD

AUSTIN, Texas - Residents in two Austin homes are displaced after overnight fires believed to have been sparked by New Year's Eve fireworks. 

In all, the Austin Fire Department responded to dozens of calls related to illegal fireworks. 

"I understand it, it's against the law to set off fireworks in Austin," said Kevin Roberts, who works in Northeast Austin. 

Roberts is right, but a lot of people did it anyway on Tuesday night. And, in many cases, things went sideways. 

"Crews were busy all night long," said Division Chief Mark Bridges with the Austin Fire Department. "We were close to around 100 extra fire calls just due to the fireworks."

Fireworks are believed to have caused this house fire in North Austin, which led to one person being treated for smoke inhalation. (Austin Fire Department)

Wednesday morning, the Red Cross was helping residents of a badly-damaged home on West Crestland Drive near North Lamar Boulevard and US-183. The call came in about five minutes before midnight. 

"They had a carport that was fully involved that was spreading into the house," said Bridges. 

The four people inside made it out safely. One was treated by medics for smoke inhalation. Two dogs were rescued as well. 

"We do suspect fireworks based on what we were able to talk to the residents there and other people around the scene," said Bridges. 

Fireworks are believed to have sparked this exterior trash fire that caused extensive damage to a home on Dubuque Lane in NE Austin. (Austin Fire Department)

Shortly after 2 a.m. on Wednesday, crews were called to a home on Dubuque Lane near Manor Road and Loyola Lane in Northeast Austin. 

"That was an exterior trash fire that burned up and into the house, caused extensive damage to the side wall and then in the attic as well," said Bridges. 

Again, fireworks are suspected to be the cause. Thankfully, no one was hurt. 

"That's only about 30 or 40 feet away from the house next to it where it burned," said Roberts, who lives nearby. 

Fire officials say scenes like this are exactly why fireworks are banned in the City of Austin. 

"What goes up must come down. And when it comes down, it's usually hot," said Bridges. "It can sit and smolder and it can very easily ignite your house on fire. It can ignite your neighbor's house on fire."

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Between Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning, AFD was called to seven auto fires, 30 dumpster fires, 17 trash fires, 21 grass fires and 10 smoke investigations. 

"We had more fires last night than we did on 4th of July," said Bridges. 

With all that in mind, fire officials have a plea for anyone who may still have fireworks lying around. 

"Dispose of them. Just get rid of them," said Bridges. 

Austin Fire says Tuesday night also underscores the importance of having a working smoke detector. One of the homes, we're told, did not—but, thankfully, a child smelled smoke and was able to alert his family to get out.