A Citrus Heights couple just weeks away from welcoming a baby are scrambling to rebuild after someone hurled a firework through the nursery window, igniting a mattress and leaving the room destroyed and smoke damage throughout the home. Home-surveillance video that has circulated in local coverage shows flames and scorched bedding, and relatives say that, fortunately, no one was hurt.
How it happened
According to CBS Sacramento, police say a firework was tossed into the nursery, where it landed on the mattress and set it on fire before family members and firefighters managed to put the flames out. Video aired by the station shows smoke filling the small room and baby furniture left scorched, and authorities reiterated that no injuries were reported.
Arrests and family response
Reporting by the Citrus Heights Sentinel states that police arrested three juveniles in connection with the incident after investigating a dispute. The couple’s sister has launched a fundraiser to help replace the nursery essentials, and the GoFundMe page notes the room had already been fully set up to bring their newborn home soon.
Fireworks rules and enforcement
With the holiday looming, Sacramento County has urged residents to report dangerous or illegal fireworks and has warned that enforcement will be stepped up over the holiday period, including specific reporting numbers for Citrus Heights. County officials and local fire agencies limit use to narrow windows for permitted "safe and sane" fireworks, and The Sacramento Bee notes that cities often impose even shorter use hours and additional penalties that can make a single illegal firework both expensive and risky.
What police say and next steps
Citrus Heights police told local outlets that the arrests were made Tuesday evening and that the investigation remains active. Because the suspects are juveniles, the department has not released their names, the Citrus Heights Sentinel reports. Prosecutors will decide whether to file formal charges once detectives finish collecting evidence, and the family says they are concentrating on replacing what was lost and getting ready for the baby’s arrival.
How to help
Neighbors and community members who want to help can donate to or share the family’s fundraiser on GoFundMe. Anyone with information about this incident or other illegal fireworks activity is asked to contact Citrus Heights Police or report details through Sacramento County's tip lines, according to the county’s public information office.
