People living in downtown Tampa reached out to 10 Tampa Bay News asking why they were woken up by fireworks just before 9 p.m. on Monday.
TAMPA, Fla. — People living in Downtown Tampa took to social media and made calls trying to figure out why there was a massive fireworks display near Curtis Hixon Park on Monday night.
According to the city of Tampa and Tampa Fire Rescue, it was a permitted fireworks display for a private event.
The fireworks were launched from a barge on the Hillsborough River near the Tampa Museum of Art and Curtis Hixon Park.
10 Tampa Bay News asked about the burn ban and dry conditions. According to Tampa Fire Rescue, two fire inspectors were on site for the entire show. Both are approved pyrotechnic inspectors. They conducted safety inspections before and after the fireworks display.
A 200-foot safety perimeter was established on the sides of the barge where the fireworks were launched.
The barge was also equipped with fire extinguishers.
TFR said the on-site pyrotechnician was fully licensed and credentialed.
Marine safety was also monitored during the event. Tampa Police Department marine vessels were positioned on opposite ends of the waterway to control boat traffic.
The fireworks show lasted approximately eight minutes, according to inspectors on scene.
After the display ended, fire inspectors walked the perimeter looking for any possible sparks or fallout from the fireworks show.