Discarded Smoking Materials Causes $2,500.00 in Damage

City of Madison Fire Investigators has determined improperly discarded smoking materials caused $2,500.00 in damage to a home on Park Street. On Thursday, March 31 around 11:40 am, 911 Communications Center received a call from a tenant to report a fire in the back of 510 South Park Street, a 2-flat multi unit building. The tenant, who lives on the 1st floor, smelled smoke while he was in the kitchen and saw flames outside. He told 911 that he tried to extinguish the fire with a dry chemical extinguisher before firefighters arrived, but the fire got too big. Firefighters arrived and went to the back of the building, where they saw flames. Crews quickly extinguished the fire, checking to be sure the fire did not spread to the rest of the building. Smoke had drifted into the first floor and basement area, but fire did not damage the interior of the structure. No one was injured as a result of the fire. The building was not compliant with the City of Madison Fire Department Smoke Alarm Ordinance. * * * SMOKING MATERIAL SAFETY TIPS FROM THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA) Smoking materials (i.e., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.) are the leading cause of fire deaths in the United States. Safety tips • If you smoke, smoke outside. • Use deep, wide ashtrays on a sturdy table. • Before you throw out butts and ashes, make sure they are out, and dousing in water or sand is the best way to do that. • Check under furniture cushions and in other places people smoke for cigarette butts that may have fallen out of sight. • Never smoke in a home where oxygen is being used. • If you smoke, choose fire-safe cigarettes. They are less likely to cause fires. • To prevent a deadly cigarette fire, you have to be alert. You won't be if you are sleepy, have been drinking, or have taken medicine or other drugs. • Keep matches and lighters up high, out of children's sight and reach.

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