Bel Air Fire Off Route 22 Caused By Cigarette Butt Can: Officials

BEL AIR, MD — A cigarette butt can sparked a fire in Bel Air Monday afternoon, according to the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company. Fire officials said that it could have caused "tremendous damage" if the blaze had happened at night, and they issued guidance for disposing of smoking materials.

Crews were dispatched to a reported furnace room on fire on Sablewood at 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 21, according to Rich Gardiner of the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company.

A large can for cigarette butts had ignited and spread to the furnace room door and had made it partway into the interior of the wall, Gardiner said.

"If this was late at night, chances are it would have gone unnoticed, spread into the living spaces, causing tremendous damage and possible loss of life," Gardiner said. "Fire spread would be rapid considering the high winds we are dealing with today."

Winds are about 38 mph as of 2:15 p.m. on Monday in Bel Air, according to the National Weather Service.

"Be responsible for your fireplace ashes and any other discarded smoking materials like cigarettes," Gardiner said. "Don't place them in plastic containers, don't place them in paper bags and don't leave them in your garage or on your back deck or porch."

What should people do with cigarette butts or ashes?

"Soak them fully in water and leave them distant from any combustibles," Gardiner advised.

Photo from the Jan. 21 fire courtesy of Assistant Chief Bill Snyder/Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company.