Huntington Beach : Fire From Bottle Rocket Damages Home’s Roof

A bottle rocket bought during a visit to Mexico caused an estimated $3,000 in damage to a Huntington Beach house Thursday in what fire officials said may indicate an early start to the fireworks season.

William Hartke described himself as both part of the problem and part of the solution in connection with the shake-roof fire at 6411 Meadowcrest Drive.

Hartke, 27, said that while he did not buy any fireworks during a recent visit to Mexico, a companion returned with some. The friend, Hartke said, suggested that they set one off and asked him to light it.

The rocket landed on the nearby roof of Ken Yabuki, who was not at home, and the shingles began to smolder. Another neighbor alerted Hartke, who grabbed a garden hose and climbed onto the roof to control the fire.

According to Fire Capt. Tom Poe, Hartke and a friend had the fire under control by the time the Fire Department arrived.

“We were fortunate that they did put it out right away,” Poe said. The wind was blowing about 15 m.p.h., he said, so if the fire had spread to the attic, “it could have caused problems.”

Poe said Hartke was cited for illegal possession of fireworks.

“I get into these situations from time to time,” said Hartke, who added that he apologized to Yabuki when his neighbor returned home but did not offer to pay for the damage.

“I talked to him,” Hartke said. “Luckily we know him well.”

Yabuki said he would rely on his homeowners insurance, and there were no hard feelings.

“We’ve been neighbors for a long time,” he said.