Georgetown and Frankfort crews answered fireworks-related calls during Fourth of July weekend, officials said

Fire departments in Georgetown and Frankfort were busy during the Fourth of July weekend, responding to dozens of fireworks-related and other emergency calls as residents marked the holiday, according to reports Monday. WKYT said more than 200 fireworks-related calls were logged by Lexington dispatchers over the weekend, while fire crews in Georgetown and Frankfort also handled incidents tied to the holiday period.

In Georgetown, the Georgetown Fire Department responded to a mix of grass fires and medical emergencies over the weekend, WKYT reported. Assistant Chief of Operations Cam Johnson said the department generally expects a spike every year, but that the holiday often runs more smoothly when people remain cautious and follow established practices.

“We always expect the worst. But when we come in here on the 4th of July, typically people are home. People do the right thing,” Johnson said in comments cited by WKYT. Johnson added that crews worry about stray fireworks that are not fully extinguished or are disposed of improperly, which can allow an outdoor incident to spread into a home or other structure.

Georgetown Fire Department crews also responded to medical calls during the holiday weekend, according to WKYT. Officials emphasized that holiday incidents do not always end when fireworks stop, because smoldering devices and improperly handled debris can create delayed risks.

In Frankfort, Fire Marshal Matthew Marshall told WKYT that nuisance calls, fire calls, and medical calls came in throughout the night. Marshall said the city’s fireworks approach includes a strict ordinance governing what residents can buy and use within city limits, with limits on airborne fireworks.

Marshall said Frankfort’s ordinance does not allow fireworks that travel through the air, which affects what is permitted for purchase and use inside the city. As described by WKYT, he said the only items residents can buy locally are similar to small devices available at major retailers that remain on the ground rather than launching or exploding in flight.

“It does help somewhat alleviate the larger things, but people are still going to go to surrounding jurisdictions and buy the larger fireworks, but in the city, you’re not allowed to shoot those off,” Marshall said, according to WKYT. He added that the fireworks risk continues after the holiday because used devices can remain live and dangerous if not handled properly.

WKYT also reported that a structure fire occurred in Frankfort over the weekend, with the cause under investigation. Officials said they are urging residents to properly dispose of used fireworks and to avoid taking chances with devices, noting that emergency responses increase when people do not follow local rules and safe handling practices.