Charles Kelso says he'd likely be dead if he had not decided to sleep on porch

Kansas City firefighters believe a house near 33rd Street and Bales Avenue that injured two firefighters was caused by fireworks hitting the home, smoldering for hours.Charles Kelso, 72, said he believes he would be dead if it were not for his decision to sleep on a couch on the front porch."It was too hot for me to sleep in that room, otherwise, I'd be gone, too," Kelso said.He did not even have time to get his shoes.Firefighters were back at the house Thursday, knocking down hot spots.The fire burned so hot at times, it melted the tar siding.Even while fire crews were at the scene, firecrackers could be heard going off nearby."Do you remember hearing fireworks going off in the neighborhood last night?" KMBC Micheal Mahoney asked Kelso."Every night. Yeah, a whole bunch of them. Real loud," Kelso said.Kelso left in his stocking feet. There was nothing to salvage after the fire."We have outlawed fireworks in Kansas City for a reason. In an urban environment, with houses packed closely together, these older homes are tinder boxes. They're ready to go," said Jimmy Walker, spokesman for the Kansas City Fire Department.Walker said two firefighters were hurt, suffering burns on their ears and necks while battling the fire.There was a second house fire Wednesday caused by fireworks. The blaze burned a hole through the roof of a house on East 60th Street.

Kansas City firefighters believe a house near 33rd Street and Bales Avenue that injured two firefighters was caused by fireworks hitting the home, smoldering for hours.

Charles Kelso, 72, said he believes he would be dead if it were not for his decision to sleep on a couch on the front porch.


"It was too hot for me to sleep in that room, otherwise, I'd be gone, too," Kelso said.



He did not even have time to get his shoes.

Firefighters were back at the house Thursday, knocking down hot spots.

The fire burned so hot at times, it melted the tar siding.

Even while fire crews were at the scene, firecrackers could be heard going off nearby.

"Do you remember hearing fireworks going off in the neighborhood last night?" KMBC Micheal Mahoney asked Kelso.



"Every night. Yeah, a whole bunch of them. Real loud," Kelso said.

Kelso left in his stocking feet. There was nothing to salvage after the fire.

"We have outlawed fireworks in Kansas City for a reason. In an urban environment, with houses packed closely together, these older homes are tinder boxes. They're ready to go," said Jimmy Walker, spokesman for the Kansas City Fire Department.

Walker said two firefighters were hurt, suffering burns on their ears and necks while battling the fire.

There was a second house fire Wednesday caused by fireworks. The blaze burned a hole through the roof of a house on East 60th Street.