(A) The Fire Marshal, an assistant fire marshal, or a certified fire safety inspector may arrest, or may cause the arrest of, any person whom he or she finds in the act of violating, or who he or she has reasonable cause to believe has violated, any provision of this subchapter. Any arrest shall be made in accordance with statutory and constitutional provisions governing arrests by law enforcement officers.
(B) If the Fire Marshal, an assistant fire marshal, or certified fire safety inspector has probable cause to believe that fireworks are being manufactured, sold, possessed, transported, or used in violation of this subchapter, he or she may seize the fireworks. Any seizure of fireworks shall be made in accordance with statutory and constitutional provisions governing searches and seizures by law enforcement officers. The Fire Marshal’s office or certified fire safety inspector’s office shall impound at the site or safely keep seized fireworks pending the time they are no longer needed as evidence. A sample of the seized fireworks is sufficient for evidentiary purposes. The remainder of the seized fireworks may be disposed of pursuant to an order from a court of competent jurisdiction after notice and a hearing.
(C) Fireworks manufactured, sold, possessed, transported, or used in violation of this subchapter shall be forfeited by the offender. The Fire Marshal’s office or certified fire safety inspector’s office shall dispose of seized fireworks pursuant to the procedures specified in R.C. §§ 2981.11 to 2981.13 for the disposal of forfeited property by law enforcement agencies, and the Fire Marshal or that office is not liable for claims for the loss of or damages to the seized fireworks.
(D) This section does not affect the authority of peace officers, as defined in R.C. § 2935.01, to make arrests for violations of this subchapter or to seize fireworks manufactured, sold, possessed, transported, or used in violation of this subchapter.
(E) Any fines imposed for a violation of this subchapter relating to the sale, purchase, possession, or discharge of fireworks shall be distributed as set forth in R.C. § 3743.68(D).
(R.C. § 3743.68) (Rev. 2008)