Missoula, Mont. — The Missoula Fire Department confirmed Monday that a house fire on Logan Court was caused by fireworks.

The department said a firework misfired and went into a juniper bush in front of the home. About 10 minutes later, the bush caught fire and flames spread quickly even as the homeowners tried to put it out with buckets of water.

Next-door neighbor Erik Maurer said he was told to leave his home not long after the fire started.

“The next thing you know, we’re getting woke up about 10:40 at night that we had a fire going and they wanted us to evacuate our house. I came out and looked and you could see flames curling out the windows going up the roof,” Maurer said.

Everyone living in the home got out safely, including the family cat. Firefighters contained the fire to that building.

Missoula Fire Chief Lonnie Rash said the fire showed why departments keep stressing fireworks safety this time of year.

“It’s sad. I feel for the family who lost, their belongings as well as their home," he said. "There is a reason why we put that message out. Because fireworks are dangerous not only to persons but to property as well. And I think unfortunately, this is an example of that."

Rash also said the Missoula Fire Department responded to a couple of brush fires over the weekend that were also started by fireworks. He said those fires were much more minor.