The Gulfport Fire Department responded to three residential fires believed to be accidental between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, including one that left an occupant with minor injuries.
Firefighters were called at 3:38 p.m. Wednesday to an apartment on 34th Avenue and found a fire on the back porch. Firefighters believe the fire was caused by children playing with fireworks.
Fire Chief Pat Sullivan said one child set paper and trash on fire. The fire caused moderate damage to the porch and burned two bicycles, but no one was injured. Although no one was arrested, Sullivan said the case could be transferred to youth court if investigators determine the fire was intentional.
In a fire at 11:22 p.m., 15 firefighters responded to a reported fire in the dryer at a home on Genevieve Drive. Firefighters weren't needed, though. The fire burned the waterlines on the nearby washing machine. Sullivan said the waterlines broke and extinguished the blaze.
The homeowner was not injured.
Firefighters were called to a third fire at 1:45 a.m. Thursday at the Sand Hill Apartments on Gould Road after a pot on a stove caught fire. The fire was confined to the kitchen.
Sullivan said a woman burned her hand and was treated at the hospital for minor injuries. Her name was not available.
