Sky Lanterns a Concern for Ballwin Area Firefighters

An emerging party favor sold at fireworks stands around Ballwin puts an open flame at the mercy of the winds—a scenario Fox 2 St. Louis said has Metro West firefighters nervous.

The devices are called sky lanterns, and operate like a miniature hot air balloon. The lanterns have been around for centuries, but sale of the small paper crafts, which house an open flame, could pose a danger to structures or landscapes the crafts could hit, Deputy Chief Mike Krause said.

“It's an uncontrolled flame and it's at the whim of the currents of the winds,' Krause told Fox 2 St. Louis.

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