Decades after blaze, Iowa allows fireworks

Associated Press

ADEL, Iowa

On a scorching day 86 years ago, a dropped spark-ler ignited an inferno that roared through much of the small city of Spencer, Iowa, and led to a statewide fireworks ban that endured for generations.

Fireworks have since become legal in most of the country and Iowa legislators voted this year to end the bans. But with the Fourth of July approaching, officials in many cities are resisting fireworks sales and prohibiting people from setting off newly legal bottle rockets, firecrackers and roman candles.

“They’ve made it really tough,” said Todd Wallace, who gave up on plans to sell fireworks from a tent in a grassy field on the edge of Des Moines.

Many Iowa officials remain keenly aware of the blaze that engulfed about 100 buildings in Spencer on a 97-degree, windy June day in 1931, when a fire started by a sparkler at Bjornstad’s drugstore quickly spread.

Iowa lawmakers were prodded to end the ban by polls showing support for legalizing fireworks, and the prospect of $1.5 million annually in sales tax revenue.

Cities are supposed to allow the sale of consumer fireworks. But some communities have passed restrictive zoning rules, outlawed fireworks use or limited the crackles and bangs to just a few hours on the Fourth.

Des Moines technically abided by the new law, but limited retailers to industrial areas and required that temporary tents be broken down and the inventory removed for six hours each day.

The restrictions have left state Sen. Jake Chapman exasperated. “If you listen to the opponents of this law, you’d think everyone is going to die and the whole state is going to burn down,” said Chapman.