Brandon Twp.- Area officials say embers from the July 3 Ortonville fireworks display caused damage to the roof of the Brandon Middle School building.
Robert McArthur, Brandon fire chief, says a change in wind direction during the fireworks caused the hot embers from the display to drift onto the school, melting the rubber coating which seals the roof of the building.
The five burn holes were discovered July 7 by a school employee during a routine roof check following the fireworks.
The small holes–approximately one-eighth- inch deep– covering an area of three to five inches were noticed during the inspection.
‘The first layer of rubber roof was burned through. Had they not been taken care of,water would have seeped through,? said Roger Goodman, maintenance and operations director for Brandon School District. ‘We’ve had paper on the roof before (after the fireworks) but never embers on the roof.?
No injuries were reported following the incident and the cost of the damage was $315. The township has agreed to reimburse the school district, says Ronald Lapp, Brandon Township supervisor.
‘My concern is the possibility exists of future damage to the school,? said Bart Jenniches, Brandon Schools superintendent. ‘We were fortunate that more damage did not occur. I’m not opposed to keeping the fireworks on school property, but we must provide a solution to prevent this type of damage in the future.?
Jenniches suggests that prior to the 2005 fireworks a meeting with the Brandon Recreation Department and Brandon Fire Department along with school officials to prevent future fires will be scheduled.
At the time of the July 3 fireworks the Brandon Fire Department had eight firefighters at the scene and maintained a 600-foot parameter from the launch site said McArthur.
‘We’ve had grass fires before but never a serious fire,? said McArthur. ‘We’re looking for the safety of the public. We’ve had debris fall before, just not on a building.?
‘We’ll be relocating the fireworks next year. Also we’re concerned about personal fireworks which people shoot off during the event.?
The added danger of modern fireworks is due in part to the design, says McArthur which makes them brighter and stay hotter longer.