by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — The Wellington Fire Department reported 11 fire calls because of Fourth of July fireworks Thursday.

The Wellington Police Department received 18 complaints throughout the four days that were fireworks related, but had no criminal related incidents due to the holiday. The Sumner Sheriff’s Department had no statistics available.

As far as the city fireworks show on Wednesday night, Wellington Director of Public Works Jeremy Jones said there were about 800 people who attended the July 3 event, not including those who were in the Wellington Middle School parking lot. Jones said there was a bigger crowd than in years’ past when it has been held on July 4. 

He said he didn’t know if it was due to the Wellington Heat game that coincided with the show or because July 4 has more family activities.

And as always the four fireworks stands in Wellington did brisk business.

It was also the perfect Independence Day weather wise. Yesterday’s high was 92 according to the National Weather Service compared to 103 in 2012. There was little wind Thursday. It was a good night to celebrate the nation’s 237th birthday.

Wellington Assistant Fire Chief Vic Sandell said all 11 fireworks calls were on July 4. The biggest fire was a roof catching on fire in the 700 block of North Tyler Road near the Sumner-Sedgwick County line. The roof caught on fire due to people shooting off fireworks. The fire was contained and caused $5,000 damage.

Caldwell and Belle Plaine Fire Departments assisted in the call

The other calls were grass fires that were sprinkled inside and outside the city limits.

Wellington Police Chief Tracy Heath said the department received 18 calls — eight on July 1, four on July 2, four on July 3 and two on July 4. Most, if not all the complaints, were neighbors complaining about noise, trash and debris or people blocking the road.

The big fire as far as fireworks were concerned was on June 28 when the Wellington Fire Department fought an abandoned house fire  south of town in which the structure owned by Daniel Stewart burned down when two juveniles were having a roman candle war.