Fireworks Tents Will Soon Rise in Johnston

The relatively new summer tradition of temporary outdoor fireworks sales is set to begin on June 26 in Johnston, after the town council this week approved licenses for Keystone Distributors LLC to run three locations around town.

At their meeting on May 13, councilors gave Keystone approval to operate at 1999 Plainfield Pike, 181 Putnam Pike, and 1459 Atwood Ave., bringing the overall total to five, with another two spots at 1041 Atwood Ave. and 1333 Plainfield Pike operated by Phantom Fireworks.

[The council approved Phantom's applications on Apr. 8]

This year marks the third summer since the Rhode Island General Assembly approved the sale of some fireworks — but not others, like those that fire projectiles into the air or leave the ground — in the last days of the 2010 legislative session.

Fire and police officials said at the time that they were caught by surprise by the Assembly's decision, and hastily put guidelines in place for the outdoor tents.

In Johnston, each vendor must get a peddler's license from town hall — which the council's votes authorized — and then get the fire department to inspect their location.

Tents must be labelled fireproof, have two exits available, and have fire extinguishers on hand, according to Fire Chief Timothy McLaughlin. Vendors must also keep a rental truck on the property, with a plaquard that shows they're holding explosives, and have security measures in place to lock down the fireworks overnight.

All of the temporary fireworks sales licenses expire on July 6.