LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - Those dry conditions aren't the only thing to blame for brush fires around central Arkansas Wednesday. Investigators say several can also be attributed to mischievous behavior.
The brush fires that took over about 15 acres of west Little Rock near Chenal are blamed on fireworks.
During these dry conditions, it doesn't take much to ignite grass, trees or brush along the side of the road. But when you put fireworks in the mix, it can be disastrous.
Just after 11 a.m. Wednesday morning, police received a call from the West Pulaski County Fire Department about a grass fire.
Witnesses reported seeing two juveniles shooting fireworks at mailboxes from a gold sedan driving along the Ferndale Cutoff.
A representative with the West Pulaski Fire Department pointed out the two mailboxes fireworks blew apart.
The mailbox on Ferndale Cut off was blown clean off the post. Some of the fireworks set the grass on fire around it.
A second home, about a mile away on Goodson Road off Highway 10 was hit as well. The suspects hit this mailbox with fireworks and some grass nearby was burned, too.
In addition to mailboxes, there were several patches of burned grass along the road. Along Ferndale Cut Off, just before Denny Road, fireworks charred a stretch next to three mailboxes.
A neighbor, who did not want to go on camera, saw a car drive off after shooting fireworks here. He said because the grass is so dry it immediately caught fire.
Captain Randy Hickmon with Little Rock Fire Department said he believes there is a solid connection between these teens setting off fireworks and the fire that spread in the Chenal area Wednesday.
A deputy caught four people in connection with the firework disturbance. The three suspects are a 15, 16, 17 and 19-years-old, all boys. There are no charges at this time.