Just after 10 p.m. Thursday night, the Ocean City Fire Department responded to a fire incident at 501 Atlantic Ave., the Hooters Restaurant, after receiving a dispatch.
Firefighters arrived at the scene, laddered the building and extinguished a small fire on the roof. Investigators from the Office of the Fire Marshal have determined that the cause of the fire was a sky lantern. The Ocean City Fire Department is now cautioning citizens against the use of sky lanterns within the city limits.
Sky lanterns are airborne paper lanterns typically made from rice paper with a bamboo frame. They contain a waxy combustible fuel cell that, when ignited, heats the air inside the lantern, causing it to ascend. However, these lanterns are known to travel significant distances once released.
Fire Marshal Battalion Chief Joseph Sexauer stresses the potential risks associated with sky lanterns, stating, “Once released, sky lanterns can travel on an uncontrolled flight path, which may lead to unintended property damage and burn injuries.”
Battalion Chief Sexauer hopes that this public warning will serve as a means to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. To further reinforce the message, it is important to note that the use of sky lanterns within Ocean City and the state of Maryland is strictly prohibited by adopted fire prevention codes. Violation of this regulation may result in the issuance of civil citations, with penalties of up to $1,000 for each offense.
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Residents and visitors are urged to familiarize themselves with the regulations and to refrain from using sky lanterns or any other recreational fire devices that pose a potential risk to public safety. Instead, the fire department encourages the community to explore alternative ways to celebrate that do not endanger lives or property.
For additional information regarding sky lanterns or the use of any other recreational fire, contact the Office of the Fire Marshal at 410-289-8780.
