The cause of the Bally Fire has been determined to be from the use of illegal fireworks. A total of four male juveniles, ages 14-15 years, were seen playing with illegal fireworks described as “firecrackers” on a hillside near the 1900 block of Ballybunion Court. As they ignited fireworks, a fire started on the hillside. Their ensuing efforts to extinguish the fire were unsuccessful and it soon spread out of control.
The juveniles were later contacted by Gilroy Police officers and interviewed. They were subsequently issued a Juvenile Contact Report (JCR) for California Penal Code 452 (c) – Unlawfully causing a fire. They were released into the custody of their parents.
The case has been sent to the Santa Clara County Juvenile Probation Department for review and prosecution. Although arrests were made in this case, this investigation is still open and on-going. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Arson Investigator Mitch Madruga at (408) 846-0350.
