The State Fire Marshal’s office confiscated 7,000 pounds of fireworks from a property in West Alexandria and destroyed them later in a rural Preble County gravel pit.

The fireworks, valued at $25,000, were stored in a two-car garage attached to a home at 3138 U.S. 35, the State Fire Marshal's Office said Thursday.

“Storing and detonating fireworks in Ohio is illegal,” said State Fire Marshal Larry Flowers. “Fireworks are explosives, and could spell disaster for families. People could unknowingly be living next to a time bomb.” 

Authorities seized the fireworks, acting on a tip they received Wednesday morning. The cache included consumer and exhibitor fireworks. 

Consumer fireworks, which include roman candles, cylindrical fountains, sky rockets and sparklers, may only be kept in Ohio up to 48 hours after purchase, according to the State Fire Marshal's Office.

Exhibitor fireworks, which require an approved permit to buy and sell, may only be attained no more than 72 hours before an exhibition unless the permit specifies, authorities said. A permit must also be acquired to legally sell fireworks. 

Investigators have been in contact with the Preble County Prosecutor’s Office, but authorities have not made any mention of suspects or arrests. 

The Dayton Bomb Squad, Preble County Sheriff’s Office, Preble County Engineer’s Office, and West Alexandria Fire Department assisted the fire marshals in the investigation.