Fireworks

Matthew Denison may not be a household name in Southern California, but when the Fourth of July comes to Orange County, thousands of people gather from miles away just to see his work. Denison, 36, is not an artist or performer. He is a licensed pyrotechnician, one of the faces behind the luminous displays of fireworks people have enjoyed over the years in Orange County. For 15 years, Denison has put on hundreds of fireworks shows in cities throughout the county.

The parents of a 4-year-old Compton boy who blew off his little sister's hand with a firecracker will not be charged with child endangerment because there was not enough evidence to prove that the parents were intentionally negligent, the district attorney's office said Friday. According to police, the boy climbed a six-foot dresser to retrieve an M-500 firecracker--equivalent to half a stick of dynamite--and retrieved a cigarette lighter from his father's pants pocket.

Neighbors helped contain a roof and attic fire at a home caused by illegal bottle rockets, fire officials said. The fire at 13122 Roberta Place was reported at 9:21 p.m. and contained by 9:36 p.m. It caused $5,000 in damage to the roof and $5,000 to contents of the house. There were no injuries reported.

The City Council has decided against holding a special election on whether to allow fireworks in the city. Stanton passed an ordinance two years ago allowing the sale and use of Fourth of July fireworks. At the time, the council discussed the possibility of holding an election to let residents decide whether to continue the practice. But that idea was stricken at Tuesday's council meeting. "In two years, we have not had many problems," said Mayor Harry Dotson.

A British fireworks factory was destroyed Thursday when burglars tried to open its door with an oxyacetylene torch and caused the contents to explode.

Aliso Viejo: Community festival with live entertainment, bounce houses, face painting, games and apple pie contest begins at 6 p.m. Fireworks at dusk. Grand Park, 26703 Aliso Creek Road. (949) 243-7411 or www.avca.net -- Anaheim: Canyon Hills Community Council's 4th of July Walk/Run check-in at 5:30 a.m., with celebration and festivities at 12:30 p.m. Canyon High School Parade at 3 p.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Peralta Canyon Park, 115 N. Pinney Drive. www.chccanaheim.

Authorities arrested four people after finding more than 4,000 pounds of illegal fireworks in their trailer on Interstate 15 early Monday, police said. David Garcia, 27, of South Pasadena; Susan Garcia, 21, of Alhambra; Dolly Martinez, 31, of Rosemead; and Jason Yamasaki, 27, of Monterey Park were arrested after San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies received a tip about the shipment and tracked it to Barstow, said Steve Hansen, a county Fire Department spokesman.

A brush fire ignited by fireworks burned about 3 acres of vegetation Thursday before it was brought under control, said Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Stephen Miller. The fire was reported about 3:15 p.m. blazing up a hill near Highlands Avenue and Happy Sparrow Lane, briefly threatening a row of homes. About 70 firefighters were dispatched, and the fire was contained about 4:15 p.m., Miller said. No injuries were reported and no homes damaged.