Ironton Fire Department officials said they are certain now a Fourth of July fire that damaged a Seventh street residence was caused by fireworks. What they want to know now is who set off the fireworks in the first place.

On July 4, someone was apparently setting off fireworks in the 1400 block of South Seventh Street. One of the pyrotechnics devices went through the window of Sandy and Silvia DiMarzo's living room, and caught the room on fire.

"It did considerable damage to the carpet, walls, curtains, a chair, an old antique Victrola," Ironton Fire Capt. Mike Mahlmeister said. "I'd say it caused between $5,000 and $10,000 worth of damage."

Mahlmeister said 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 her 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.

"I believe it was an accident, but according to Ohio law, fireworks are illegal, and even though they may not have meant to start the fire they were in the process of doing something illegal," Mahlmeister said. The state fire marshal's office will determine what action will be taken in the matter.

Mahlmeister said officials are not 100 percent certain yet what kind of fireworks was used to start the fire.