2 Teens Detained in Fireworks-Caused Blaze

NEWPORT BEACH — Two Costa Mesa teen-agers were detained Thursday on suspicion of discharging fireworks after they were seen running from a grass fire, police and firefighters said.

The blaze, reported at 11:39 a.m., spread in the eight acres of dried grass at 16th Street and Dover Drive, Fire Capt. Ray Pendleton said.

Fifteen firefighters worked 45 minutes to control it, he said.

Residents on the north side of the open field, owned by the Irvine Co., reported seeing two male juveniles setting off fireworks there and then driving away in a black pickup truck when the grass caught fire, Pendleton said.

At 3 p.m., a 17-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy were picked up at 16th Street and Irvine Avenue, Police Sgt. Andy Gonis said. Their names were not released because of their ages.

“This illustrates why there is the concern for fireworks,” Gonis said.

Officials noted that all fireworks are prohibited in Newport Beach.

The grass had recently been mowed because of the fire season, which helped contain the fire, Pendleton said. The wind blew flames toward a wooden fence on Blue Gum Lane, which is lined with eucalyptus trees dividing the field from a residential area, but firefighters were able to stop flames.

No injuries or structure damage was reported, Pendleton said.