A fire just after midnight uncovered three problems at a home in the 2400 block of East Southview Street. That's a few blocks south of Lake Springfield off Kissick Avenue.

The problems, according to the Springfield Fire Department, were the illegal use of fireworks in the city, a hydrant hidden from firefighters by landscaping vegetation, and ammunition stored in the garage.

Fire crews were called to the home just after midnight after a smoke alarm awakened the occupants and they safely escaped.

Crews found the home heavily involved in fire but couldn't find the closest hydrant due to extensive landscaping around it; they had to use a hydrant farther away. In addition, crews were met with a hail of bullets and casings due to a large amount of ammunition stored in the garage where the fire started. While the apparatus was hit, no damage occurred.

A fire marshal determined the cause of the fire to be fireworks. After the occupants shot off fireworks, they put the trash in a cart in the garage. That debris ignited and the fire spread to the rest of the home, heavily damaging it.

“Every year we plead with the community to take the dangers of fireworks seriously. Unfortunately, no one ever thinks that anything will go wrong. We know they do. We are very fortunate that no one was injured because that isn’t always the case," said Fire Chief David Hall in a news release.

Fireworks are illegal in Springfield because of the damage, injuries, and deaths that have been caused by them in the City over the years.

As far as the hidden hydrant, the fire department says people should keep fire hydrants visible and clear of landscaping and overgrown grass.

“To me, a fire hydrant is a symbol of history, character, and safety and security. I don’t understand why many want to hide them behind landscaping, particularly when it can have serious consequences,” Hall said.

"The eyesore isn’t the hydrant, it’s a burned-out home," said Fire Marshal Mark Epps in the news release.

The department has these reminders:

• Hydrants must not be camouflaged or disguised in any manner.

• No plants or grasses are to be planted around hydrants.

• Fences and other objects must be at least three feet from hydrants.

• Hydrants are not to be repainted except by authorized personnel and only the approved color for the location of that hydrant.

• Emergency personnel and those with metered devices are the only ones authorized to operate hydrants.

• You should notify the fire department if you suspect unauthorized use of a hydrant.

The color of the paint indicates whether it is a public or private hydrant. Firefighters are trained to look for specific colors during an emergency.

"When it’s dark and flames are shooting in the air, there are a million things going through the firefighters' minds about what they need to do," Hall said. "The ability to quickly locate a hydrant can mean the difference between saving a home or not, possibly even a life."

As City Utility of Springfield crews flush hydrants, or as they are reported, they'll remove any vegetation that obscures hydrants. They'll also repaint hydrants that are not painted the authorized color.

People who have hydrants in need of service can contact CU at (417) 831-8393.