Last week's rain helped provide a quiet Fourth of July for local firefighters, said Fulton Fire Chief Kevin Coffelt.
"We were very fortunate to get the rain we received last week," he said Thursday. "We have only had two fireworks-related incidents so far."
Both incidents took place Wednesday. The first was reported as a possible structure fire on West Sixth Street, but turned out to be fireworks smoking vigorously near a house. The second was a grass fire around Carver Park, Coffelt said.
"On the average, we normally only run a couple calls a year due to fireworks," he added.
Stats from other area fire departments were not immediately available.
Law enforcement officials were kept comparatively busy, Callaway County Sheriff Clay Chism said.
"In all reality, most holidays are busy for deputies," he said. "Deputies answered 40 calls for service, including the investigation of two disturbances that led to arrests for felony domestic assault. Deputies also investigated a death near Millersburg, which was of a medical nature and not related to foul play."
He said fireworks-related complaints were significantly less numerous this year compared to previous years. Deputies received only two complaints, both from the same neighborhood.
"Many citizens realize the county does not have any type of fireworks ordinances or prohibition, (and therefore) many only call if there is an obvious safety issue," he said. "Most fireworks complaints are actually in the municipalities and handled by their police departments."
In Holts Summit, police received two calls related to fireworks, neither of which required a response, Chief Kyle McIntyre said.
Policeman injured
The Fulton Police Department released a statement Wednesday saying Officer Tommy Barker had been seriously injured in a fireworks incident. The FPD did not state whether the incident had occurred while Barker was on duty, and it has not issued any further updates.
Barker has been with the department for more than 10 years and has worked as a field training officer and a tactical team member, among other duties, the release stated.
"Again, our deepest thoughts and prayers are with Officer Tommy Barker and his family as he starts his recovery," it added.