Fire on Charles Street Started with Smoldering Cigarette

Flames began in a planter next to the home at 21 Charles St. at about 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, but the Watertown Fire Department had things under control quickly.

The fire started when a cigarette that smoldered for hours ignited something in the planter, which sat next to the house, said Deputy Fire Chief Dan Tardif. The resident had put the cigarette in the planter at about 11 a.m., he said.

Fire crews put out the flames quickly, Tardif said. The Fire Department was alerted by a driver who spotted the smoke while driving by, he said.

The fire was extinguished before it could do any serious damage. Tardif said the fire caused minor damage to the exterior of the house.