Cigar in Planter Box Sparks Fire in Saratoga

A cigar put out in a Brookglen Drive home's planter box in Saratoga is believed to have caused an unintentional fire the afternoon of Thursday, May 23.

According to a Santa Clara County Fire Department report, the small blaze was ignited outside the home's deck when the smoker tried to extinguish the cigar by discarding it in the planter.

The 5:30 p.m. fire caused $2,000 in property loss and $500 in content loss. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire, according to the report.

Santa Clara County fire officials say cigarettes are the No. 1 cause of house fire-related deaths.

The National Fire Prevention Association estimates that nearly one in four people killed in a house fire die because of smoking-related accidents inside and outside the home.

Follow these tips to stay safe:

• When smoking outside, make sure the cigarette is fully out before tossing it.
• Indoors, use large, deep ashtrays on a sturdy table.
• Consider smoking fire-safe cigarettes.