Careless disposal of a cigarette is being blamed as the cause of a $150,000 house fire last night in Ridgetown.
According to Chatham-Kent fire officials, they received a call about 8 p.m. Thursday of a home on fire on Ebenezer Street in Ridgetown. Crews arrived to find the back of the home engulfed in flames.
Firefighters quickly knocked down the fire and prevented it from spreading.
“The fire started from the improper disposal of a cigarette inside the home,” says public educator Whitney Burk in a media release. “Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths in the home. Luckily yesterday, everyone got out safely.”
C-K Fire officials remind residents not to walk away from lit cigarettes and other smoking materials. Put water on the ashes and butts to make sure they are out before you put them in the trash.
