Residents throughout Malibu were frustrated over a loud surprise last Wednesday when a 10-minute fireworks show was launched off of a barge near Nobu Restaurant.
The display was apparently planned as part of a TV premiere party on July 9 at Nobu celebrating the season premiere of Showtime’s “Ray Donovan.”
Many complained of the fireworks’ noise, 10 p.m. start time and the approval of a mid-week show. City officials said they had no prior notice of the show and were unable to warn residents about it. Some said they heard the show as far away as west Malibu, while others said smoke from the display drifted into homes in the Civic Center area.
Battalion Chief Mike Savage of the LA County Fire Department took on an apologetic tone over the issuance of a firework permit for such a late hour.
“We really feel like it was a miss on our part that this show started as late as it did,” Savage said.
He and the department plan on re-examining permit protocol.
“We must make sure that we’re looking out for the entire community, not just the small group that’s being entertained by the show,” Savage said.
Most shows start at the more “reasonable” hour of 9 p.m., he said, and the department is also reviewing its process of notifications.