An Ironton man has pleaded guilty to criminal mischief in connection with an accidental fire that damaged an apartment on the Fourth of July.

Michael McKee, 33, of 1412 South Seventh St. entered his plea late last week in Ironton Municipal Court. Judge O. Clark Collins sentenced McKee to

60 days in jail, but suspended that sentence to 15 days on a work program. McKee was also sentenced to one year's probation

and fined $500 plus court costs. Collins also ordered McKee to make $2,000 restitution to the victims within 45 days.

On July 4, fireworks went through the

window of Sandy and Silvia DiMarzo's South Seventh Street living room, and caught the room on fire. A neighbor who lives in an apartment over top of the DiMarzos, realized her neighbors' residence was on fire and ran downstairs to help evacuate them. Mrs. DiMarzo is confined to a wheelchair. After helping them to safety, Mahlmeister said the neighbor went back inside and tried to fight the fire. The blaze did an estimated $5,000 to $10,000 in damages.

Ironton Fire Department Capt. Mike Mahlmeister said he is satisfied with the guilty plea.