Correctional officer arrested for altering fireworks

A California Department of Corrections officer was arrested on the Fourth of July for making — and firing — illegal fireworks, injuring a young child in the process.

The arrest came during a coordinated public-safety effort by the Porterville police and fire departments.

“A lieutenant for the Department of Corrections was arrested on the Fourth of July for taking Safe and Sane fireworks and altering them into a destructive device,” Dan Holloway, the Porterville Fire Department's public education officer, said. “As a result of the officer’s illegal activities, a 3-year-old child was injured.”

The child received first aid at the scene and did not require further medical attention, Holloway said.

The incident occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m. Friday in the 1600 block of West Wall Lane.

The officer, whose name has not been released, was in custody in the Tulare County Jail. The incident has been turned over to the District Attorney’s Office for further review, Holloway said.

The arrest came during a busy Fourth of July weekend that saw officials putting out fires to confiscating illegal fireworks.

“The Porterville Fire Investigation Unit and the Porterville Police Department joined forces in a unified command on the Fourth of July in efforts to keep the citizens of our community safe,” Fire Department Capt. Mitch Sandoval said. “Both departments had a total of 11 officers who were teamed up and patrolled the city streets.”

A total of 61 service calls for fireworks, resulting in the confiscation of numerous dangerous fireworks, 21 administrative citations — with fines ranging from $100 to $500 — and one arrest for altering a Safe and Sane firework into a destructive device, were reported, Sandoval said.

Altered fireworks were also responsible for a grass fire reported at 5:45 p.m. Friday on the banks of the city slough in the 1400 block of West Morton Avenue. There was no financial loss or injury by the fire that burned a 100-foot by 35-foot section, Holloway said.

“We believe it was started by fireworks. A bottle rocket was found in the grass,” Holloway said. “A witness to the fire said three juveniles were seen setting off fireworks and then running east along the slough after the fire started.”

The Fire Department also responded to the 1100 block of West San Lucia Avenue for illegal firework activity.

“A juvenile was setting off possible gas bombs,” Holloway said.

The bombs were homemade devices using Safe and Sane “Piccolo Pete” fireworks and making them illegal by altering them and placing them in plastic 2-liter bottles.

“Everything is taken more serious now,” Holloway said. “Ever since 9-11 the whole system has changed. Everything is much more strict today in all aspects of fire safety.”

Other Fire Department incidents reported over the weekend include:

-- Grass fires extinguished on the 100 block of North Waukesha Street, 1400 block of West Tule River Avenue, 700 block of East Tule River Avenue and 1000 block of West Tule River Avenue.

-- Rubbish, trash or waste fire extinguished in the 400 block of West Springville Avenue.

-- Passenger vehicle fire extinguished in the 300 block of North Hockett Street.

-- More than 25 response calls for first aid, checking for injuries and providing basic life support.

-- Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1047 or eavila@portervillerecorder.com.