Greenfield apartment fire caused by cigarette butt
Smoker-caused fires sky-rocketing in Edmonton
CBC News
Posted: Feb 10, 2012 7:04 AM MT
Last Updated: Feb 10, 2012 8:06 AM MT
The Greenfield Apartments fire was started by an improperly discarded cigarette, causing $5 million in damage, say fire investigators.
The fire at Greenfield Apartments Wednesday night was caused by a discarded cigarette butt on a balcony. The fire, at 114th Street and 40th Avenue, began on a third floor balcony at around 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and damaged all 38 suites.
A couple on the second floor below the balcony called 911 when they noticed pieces of debris on fire floating down from the balcony above, said investigators
Fire crews hoped a fire wall might save the south end of the complex, but found there was water damage throughout the entire structure.
The Red Cross is temporarily housing about 50 residents in a hotel.
The fire continues an ominous trend in the city for smoker-caused fires.
The number of smoker-caused fires in 2011 was the highest ever recorded in Edmonton, said fire investigator Wayne Pawlowski.
More than 85 such fires accounted for almost $10 million in damages.
In 2010, 56 smoker-caused fires caused $5.1 million in damage.Share Tools
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