State Fire Marshal H. “Butch” Browning released information today in reference to the seizure of large quality of consumer fireworks that were illegally stored and improperly obtained at a home in St. Tammany Parish.

Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms Agents along with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office executed an arrest warrant for Anthony R. Campora, Jr. (dob. 11-3-1948) at his residence located at 61478 Yaupon Trail Street in Lacombe, Louisiana. When officials entered the home they discovered large qualities of consumer fireworks arranged for sale.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office was called to investigate the discovery of these fireworks. Evidence revealed that the occupants were illegally selling these fireworks from this residence to consumers. The operation was not licensed by the State and it is suspected they were purchased from a fireworks distributor improperly. The fireworks were seized as evidence by the State Fire Marshal’s Office, the street value of the fireworks is in excess of $30,000. The investigation is ongoing and it is anticipated that charges and fines could be filed.

Louisiana Law requires that all distributors and retailers of consumer fireworks be licensed by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. In addition, fireworks can only be sold during a specific time frame around the July 4th and January 1st holidays. Violation of this law carries criminal and civil penalties.

Fire Marshal Browning stated, “This home was in a residential area and this unsafe and illegal operation could have been a disastrous had there been an explosion. Our office works extremely hard to ensure the fireworks industry is safe and dangerous situations like this put lives in jeopardy; we simply will not tolerate people breaking laws dealing with public safety.”