Fireworks Start Two Fires, Lead to Two Arrests

charged two people with illegal fireworks possession and the extinguished two fires caused by illegal fireworks last night during 4th of July celebrations.

Cranston Police Major Robert W. Ryan said both incidents occurred within a 10-minute time frame.

At around 9:45 p.m., police and fire responded to a cookout on a report of a deck fire caused by fireworks being lit in a grassy area near the deck.

Police said the homeowners' sister-in-law, 45-year-old Yvonne Verweyen, of 35 Chruch St., Cranston, admitted to bringing illegal fireworks to the cookout. Police seized about $400 worth of illegal fireworks from the home. She was charged with possession of class C fireworks and was issued a District Court summons. She will appear in court on July 17.

Ten minutes later, police and fire crews were dispatched to 105 Lexington Avenue for a report of a basement fire started by a neighbor's use of illegal fireworks.

The fire reportedly started when the tube for an aerial pyrotechnic tipped over and the fireworks shot out horizontally across the yard into the neighbor's window, into a small basket in the basement.

Upon realizing that they had started a fire, police said, the neighbors with the fireworks ran over and tried to extinguish the fire with a garden hose.

The damage to the house was minimal.

Police said John Ferri, 54, of 101 Lexington Avenue said he brought the illegal fireworks from New Hampshire.

Ferri was charged with possession of class C fireworks and will appear in court on July 17 as well.