By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

Despite the bangs and booms from fireworks, Ellis County emergency responders reported no major fires or injuries during the holiday celebrations Thursday night in Ellis County.

“It would seem to be a pretty normal Fourth of July night for our staff,” said Brian Dawson, Hays deputy chief of police. “Usually it’s a busy night…It’s nice to see that we didn’t have people getting too out of control and people getting hurt.”

Dawson did not have an official count of fireworks-related calls available Friday but noted several calls for fireworks violations.

The majority of those calls, however, did not result in citations being issued.

“Most of the time it is going to be warnings and educating the community on violations,” Dawson said.

Hays Fire Department officials were unavailable for comment on Friday, but scanner traffic Thursday indicated only a few minor incidents in the city.

Ellis County Fire Chief Darin Myers said in rural Ellis County the department was only dispatched on two fireworks-related calls, both relatively minor as well.

He reported a fire broke out near Schoenchen that burned approximately half an acre of wheat stubble and a dumpster fire at an area business related to expended fireworks that had not been fully extinguished.

Ellis County EMS officials were also unavailable for comment Friday, but Myers said he was not aware of any injuries being reported to EMS.

“That’s about as best as you can ask for,” Myers said.