COVINGTON, Tenn. — A family says they lost almost everything Friday after Covington Police said their home burned down when suspects shot fireworks by the house late Thursday night as the Fourth of July wrapped up.
Around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, Covington Police said they responded alongside the Covington Fire Department to a house fire in the 700 block of Best Street in Covington.
Dominique Beard says she was in her home with her mother, boyfriend and their three kids and were about to go to sleep when they heard a loud bang. she says people were shooting fire crackers across the street, which is illegal without a permit in Covington.
Then they started to smell smoke.
Beard says they ran to the front of the house and it was completely red as the fire spread and that within two minutes, the entire house was on fire. Beard says she and her family, including her 9-month-old son, were trapped inside the smoke and flames until they were able to escape through a bedroom window.
“I got up and I ran to my mama's room and I kicked her, pushed her air conditioner out and that was the only way we could get out because the doors were on fire," Beard said. "That’s all we could do. If we couldn’t have got that air conditioner out, we probably wouldn’t have been here today.”
Beard and her son were taken to the hospital to be treated for possible smoke inhalation. They have since been released.
Multiple witnesses told police fireworks caused the fire, and several people inside a red car were shooting fireworks.
“This ain't right," Beard said. "A house gets caught on fire almost every year out here. It’s not cool. People lose everything they worked for in a minute or two minutes because y'all playing with fire crackers, mini bombs and stuff.”
Covington Police said the house is a total loss, and they are investigating the case as arson.
Beard says she and her family are currently staying in a hotel and are working with the American Red Cross for housing options. They currently have a verified GoFundMe to raise money for food and cloths.
Police are looking for several people in a red vehicle who were seen in the area at the time of the fire.
“This is a tragic reminder of why we have an ordinance prohibiting the shooting of fireworks in Covington without a permit," Covington Police Chief Donna Turner said. "This reckless incident resulted in an innocent family being injured and losing their home and the contents."
Covington Police said their officers will be strictly enforcing an 11 p.m. weekday/12 a.m. weekend curfew for the remainder of the summer. This includes anyone under 18 years old not accompanied by a parent or guardian. Covington Police said violators will be taken to juvenile court, and their parents will be notified.
Anyone with information on what caused the fire should call Covington Police at (901) 475-1261.