Mourners spark two major forest fires with funeral fireworks

Two major forest fires tore through woodland after mourners set off fireworks at a funeral, allegedly igniting vegetation.

CCTV footage shows a mourner setting off a firework, which did a 180-degree turn before landing in the bed of a pickup truck.

Other funeralgoers could be seen running for cover as the pyrotechnic exploded, sending sparks shooting in all directions.

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Firefighters believe the blunder may have ignited nearby vegetation, with the flames subsequently spreading through the rural area.

The two forest fires ripped through the Alto de Minas area of La Vega, Colombia, overnight on Thursday (13 August).

Emergency services from several nearby municipalities were deployed to bring the fires under control and prevent them from reaching nearby homes and buildings.

Firefighters from La Vega, San Francisco, Tenjo and Cota, along with local residents, took part in efforts to contain the blazes.

Water tankers and other machinery were also sent to support the operations, as reported by Need To Know.

Strong winds and dry vegetation hampered the firefighting efforts.

Cundinamarca Governor Jorge Emilio Rey ngel said: The Departmental Risk Management Unit is continuously monitoring the situation and any requests for support with the firefighting operation, based on information and control operations reported by the incident commander.

One angry viewer commented online: Its the fault of some f*cking drunk idiots who were driving in a convoy and setting off fireworks to see off someone who had died.

Where are Colombias National Police to stop this kind of thing? Now every funeral in the town is an excuse for a convoy and fireworks.

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