For decades, parents across the country have allowed their children to play with sparklers. For many people, they are the only type of firework we are legally allowed to use.

My parents allowed me to use it, but they kept a close eye on me as I waved the sparking stick around. They knew that while there was little chance of me getting burned, there was also very little chance of me injuring myself or starting a devastating fire.

Unfortunately, this was proven by an incident on Monday in Fort Kent, Maine.

According to an article about the Bangor Daily News Website firefighters were dispatched to a house fire on Brookside Drive just before 1:30 p.m. Monday afternoon.

The fire was reportedly caused by children playing with sparklers inside.

Two adults and three children were in the house when the fire started. All were able to exit the house safely, but two dogs and a cat perished in the flames. When firefighters arrived on the scene, they attempted to rescue the family's pets, but the house was reportedly overcrowded and difficult to get into, so firefighters were unable to rescue the pets.

About two dozen firefighters from Fort Kent, Eagle Lake and Frenchville responded to the fire. It took two hours to extinguish the fire. At this point, the house was a total loss.

Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.

Officials warn that sparklers are intended for outdoor use. You should never set off fireworks indoors.