A stray firework punched through a bedroom window in Garden Grove on Sunday, landing in a closet and touching off a blaze that wiped out Anthony Scotti’s home, charred family photos and vintage arcade machines, and badly damaged the prosthetic leg he relies on but had to leave behind as he escaped. Scotti is now staying in a motel while firefighters work through the wreckage. Without renter's insurance, the cost of replacing clothes, keepsakes and years' worth of restored arcade gear is falling largely on him and his family. His niece has launched an online fundraiser to help him rebuild from scratch.
How the fire started
Scotti told reporters that the firework shot through his bedroom window screen, skidded into his closet and quickly ignited clothing, photographs and a collection of vintage arcade games he had spent years restoring. Fire crews were able to pull a few meaningful items from the ruins, including the folded American flag presented at his father's funeral, but most of his possessions were reduced to ash. Those details were reported by CBS Los Angeles.
Scotti's account
"I saw some smoke in my peripheral vision. I saw flames flared up," Scotti recalled to reporters, describing the moment he realized his home was going up in flames. He said he had to get out so quickly that he left behind his prosthetic leg, then later returned in a wheelchair hoping it could somehow be repaired despite the fire damage. His account was documented by CBS Los Angeles.
Local rules and enforcement
The City of Garden Grove allows only "safe and sane" consumer fireworks on July 4 and sets $1,000 administrative fines for illegal fireworks. Ahead of the holiday, officials urged residents to report violations to a dedicated fireworks hotline and said police would step up patrols. In 2025 the city logged 159 firework-related service calls on July 4 alone, a reminder that stray pyrotechnics are not just loud but can put nearby homes and neighbors in real danger. The city's guidance is posted by the City of Garden Grove.
How often fireworks cause damage
Fireworks remain a national safety problem. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported roughly 13,000 emergency-department-treated fireworks injuries in 2025 and warned that even seemingly harmless sparklers burn hot enough to cause severe burns. The American Red Cross, citing National Fire Protection Association data, notes that fireworks sparked more than 32,000 fires in 2023, including thousands of outdoor and structure fires. Both organizations urge people to leave fireworks to trained professionals instead of lighting them off at home. See more from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Red Cross.
Insurance and recovery
Renter's insurance generally covers personal property as well as "loss of use," the extra living expenses that can help pay for temporary housing and meals when a tenant is displaced after a covered event. Those protections only apply if a policy is in place before disaster strikes, however, which can leave tenants like Scotti facing steep out-of-pocket costs. The California Department of Insurance offers a guide that explains how renter's coverage works, how to file a claim and how to document fire losses. Displaced tenants are advised to photograph damage thoroughly and keep receipts for any emergency spending. More information is available from the California Department of Insurance.
How to help
Scotti's family has created an online fundraiser to help cover his immediate needs and the cost of replacing what the fire destroyed, and neighbors who want to pitch in can look for his name on community fundraising platforms. Residents who spot illegal or obviously dangerous fireworks are urged not to confront anyone directly but instead to report activity to the Garden Grove Fireworks Hotline or the police non-emergency line. Contact numbers and reporting instructions are listed by the City of Garden Grove.
