Fireworks during burn ban lead to two arrests in Naples

NAPLES, Fla. —

Two men were arrested Sunday night in Naples after police say they caught them lighting fireworks next to a public park during a burn ban in Collier County.

The Naples Police Department said they arrived at the park late Sunday night to find fireworks still exploding into the sky. Officers were patrolling near Goodlette-Frank Road and Central Avenue around 11:30 p.m. when they saw fireworks shooting into the air near River Park next to a condominium complex on 3rd Avenue North.

According to the arrest report, Lee R. Van Lankveld was accused of hiding in the bushes to evade officers but was found with multiple tubes of fireworks and alcohol. Another man, Stephen A. Osborne, was also arrested after returning when he was accused of fleeing from officers. Police also had to extinguish a small fire that ignited.

The incident occurred near Ernesto Carrion's home. "It sounds crazy," Carrion said. "Is so unexpected. Sounds dangerous as well."

Officers discovered multiple "Super Gatling Cannon" fireworks in the field. A Phantom Fireworks employee in Fort Myers explained that these fireworks can shoot up to 80 feet into the air and are designed to be staked into the ground, not held.

Fireworks are prohibited across the Gulf Coast during a burn ban and are only legal in Florida on New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, and the Fourth of July.

Rick Reynolds, the Fort Myers Fire Department fire marshal, said, "If it lands in your bushes and burns somebody's structure. You know, if there's damage to the structure, and they find out that you're the one who did it. You can be held liable. And, you know, the consequence could very well be that you get sued and that you pay for that damage."

Police are reminding residents that using fireworks outside of designated holidays, especially during a burn ban, can lead to arrest and serious fire danger.

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