Firefighters Put Out Fourth Fire Caused by a Discarded Cigarette in Recent Weeks

By Bay City News

Firefighters in San Rafael doused a structure fire Saturday night that appears to have been caused by a discarded cigarette, according to San Rafael fire Chief Christopher Gray.

Crews responded to a pulled fire alarm and 911 call from a resident reporting a smell of smoke at a multi-family home at 527 D Street at about 8 p.m., Gray said.

When crews arrived, they found fire and smoke coming from the exterior of the home, Gray said.The fire is the fourth in the past several weeks caused by discarded cigarettes, Gray said. They do not appear to be related, he said.

“If you smoke, please act responsibly and snuff out your butts and place them in a water or sand filled container or non-combustible receptacle,” he said.
No injuries were reported.

The home sustained less than $5,000 in damage, Gray said.

Earlier this month, firefighters extinguished a fire further down D Street that appeared to be started by discarded cigarettes and almost burned a backyard chicken coop. Officials considered that blaze "suspicious." 

Copyright © 2012 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.