Briefly in the news

A 13-year-old boy playing with sparklers in his garage accidentally

set some packing materials on fire Tuesday afternoon, Costa Mesa fire

officials said.

Three fire engines, one truck and a battalion chief’s unit took less

than two minutes to put out the fire in the 2500 block of Back Bay Loop

that caused less than $5,000 in damage, said Battalion Chief Keith

Fujimoto.

The boy, who was home alone, called the Fire Department himself about

2 p.m., he said. His parents arrived shortly, Fujimoto said.

“He was playing with what we call safe and sane fireworks,” he said.

“The damage was minimal and more cosmetic.”

It charred portions of the garage floor and parts of the walls, he

said.