New York Man Arrested After Fireworks Given To Son Cause House Fires
A New York man has been arrested by an arson bomb squad after fireworks given to his 11-year-old son ignited a blaze that damaged two houses in Levittown, Long Island. The incident, which occurred on the morning of July 4th, led to the evacuation of residents and significant property damage.
The Nassau County Police Department reported that officers responded to a call around 8:50 a.m. regarding a house fire. Upon investigation, police discovered that Karamjit Singh, 33, had provided his son with a firework and instructed him to light it. The firework malfunctioned, causing it to launch into a nearby shed, which subsequently caught fire.
The flames quickly spread from the shed to Singh’s home and then to a neighboring house. A single mother renting part of the first affected home was forced to escape the burning building. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The Wantagh Fire Department arrived promptly and managed to extinguish the fires, but both homes suffered extensive damage. The Nassau County’s Arson Bomb Squad arrested Singh without incident. He faces multiple charges, including second-degree arson, fourth-degree reckless endangerment, unlawfully selling fireworks to a minor, unlawfully possessing fireworks, and endangering the welfare of a child.
Singh pleaded not guilty at his arraignment and was released from jail without bail. His son was reportedly released to a family member. The Nassau County Fire Marshals have initiated an investigation into the incident.
In nearby Suffolk County, fireworks-related injuries also marred the holiday. A 21-year-old man lost three fingers and suffered burns in a fireworks accident, while a 66-year-old man from Brentwood lost a hand and several fingers in a similar incident.
Nationally, the 4th of July saw several tragic fireworks accidents. In South Carolina, a man died after placing a lit firework on his head during a block party, and in Tennessee, a 35-year-old man died from a chest wound caused by a firework explosion.