Stray neighborhood fireworks torch metro Atlanta football coach’s yard, fire spreads near his house

HALL COUNTY, Ga. — A local high school football coach wants to warn others about how dangerous fireworks can be after they nearly burned down his home.

Seckinger High School Coach Tony Lotti shared videos of the moment the wind carried stray fireworks into his yard and torched it on New Year’s Eve.

“This was very close to being a big tragedy. People need to be aware. Fireworks should not be allowed in residential neighborhoods, especially with windy conditions,” Lotti told Channel 2 Action News on Thursday. “This was fireworks used by a neighbor and not me.”

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Lotti said he and his wife were in bed at the time and didn’t know a firework landed in their yard until their home security alarm system alerted them.

Video shared by Lotti shows flames spreading across his yard and leading up to his home. The coach said it took only 10 minutes for the fire to spread.

“I still can’t believe how fast the fire grew & spread. Burnt my whole back & side yard very quickly. Thank God we weren’t asleep yet & I didn’t ignore the alert on my phone,” he said.

The coach told Channel 2 Action News that Hall County Fire and Rescue arrived quickly to help. He is now sharing the videos on his social media pages in hopes that others will be more mindful the next time they want to shoot off fireworks.

Thanks everyone for the well wishes. No doubt this was God’s protection. can’t believe how high the flames got and how fast it was spreading with the wind the way it was. My water hose wouldn’t work. Thank God for my neighbor answering his door when Debbie ran over to beat on it. pic.twitter.com/Z6sccbXAZW
— Coach Tony Lotti (@CoachTonyLotti) January 1, 2025