The Lawrence City Commission will review fireworks regulations tonight, after fireworks were blamed last July 4 for a Lawrence apartment fire that destroyed four units and displaced 17 tenants.

But commissioners say they’re unlikely to completely prohibit fireworks use for now.

“I think what we’d like to do is to encourage people to be safe and sane, to cut down on the number of complaints and calls to the fire department,” Commissioner David Dunfield said.

The city allows fireworks use and possession only three days a year, July 2-4. Sales inside city limits are prohibited, but fireworks can be stored if done in accordance with fire safety codes.

Casey Liebst, a city management intern, said in a memorandum that nearby cities such as Lenexa, Overland Park and Topeka ban possession and use.

Dan Bloom owns the Bradford Square Apartments at 501 Colo., which burned last year. He said damage repairs are almost complete, but that his insurance company has paid nearly $500,000 in the fire’s aftermath.

Still, he said he doesn’t want fireworks banned.

“You just need to be responsible,” Bloom said.

Jerry Pine’s family has sold fireworks to Douglas Countians for more than 50 years. He said users of fireworks need education instead of more regulation.

“Anything can be misused,” he said. Current regulations “probably minimize damage.”

Dunfield said the city probably will make an appeal this July 4 for safe fireworks use, modeled on city and university pleas for calm and safe behavior during Kansas University’s run to the Final Four last month.

The results could determine the future use of fireworks in Lawrence.

“If it works, fine, and if not, we’ll talk about it after the Fourth,” Dunfield said.

The city commission meets at 6:35 p.m. today in City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets.