Smoking Materials Ignite Fire At Mount Vernon Condo

MOUNT VERNON, VA—The improper disposal of smoking materials caused a fire at a Mount Vernon condominium unit Wednesday, Sept. 26, according to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue.

Around 6:56 a.m., crews responded to the fire in the 3800 block of Havenwood Place. Firefighters found smoke coming from the second floor of the two-story condo building. Units quickly located and put out the fire. There were no injuries.

No one was home when the fire broke out. A neighbor had found the fire and called 911.

Investigators say the fire started in an upstairs bedroom. Red Cross assistance was not requested, and damages are estimated at $18,750.

This was the second fire within days caused by improperly disposed smoking materials in the county. On Monday, Sept. 24, smoking materials ignited a fire in a trash chute at a Kingstowne senior apartment building. About 150 senior residents were home at the time and evacuated. Two people were taken to the hospital for non-fire-related injuries.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue urges residents to follow these tips when using smoking materials:

• Never dispose of cigarette butts in potted planting soil. The soil, when it gets too dry, can become highly flammable.
• Never flick cigarettes into mulch or shrubbery. Dispose of them in a suitable ashtray or bucket with sand. Ensure designated outside smoking areas have an appropriate fireproof container, ashtray or bucket.
• Completely douse butts and ashes with water before throwing them away, as they can smolder and cause a fire.
• Never smoke in bed.
• Provide large, deep ashtrays with a center support for smokers. Check furniture for any dropped ashes before going to bed. Empty ashes into a fireproof container with water and sand.
• Keep smoking materials away from anything that can burn such as mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture or draperies.
• Never smoke in a home where oxygen is being used.
• If you smoke, choose fire-safe cigarettes. They are less likely to cause fires.
• To prevent a deadly cigarette fire, you must be alert. You won’t be if you are sleepy, have been drinking, or have taken medicine or other drugs.
• Keep matches and lighters up high, out of children’s sight and reach.

Image via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue