Incident Type: 
Smoking
Dispatch: 
Tuesday, February 12, 2019 - 2:55pm
Arrival: 
Tuesday, February 12, 2019 - 3:00pm
Address: 
10 block N. Franklin Ave.
Madison, WI
Narrative: 

A fire that resulted in minor injury and approximately $12,500 worth of damage is the result of improperly discarded smoking materials.

Engine Company 9, Medic 4, and several other MFD fire crews responded to a home on Franklin Avenue with the homeowner stating the fire was already out. Upon entry, firefighters found that a significant fire had taken place in the kitchen area, though the fire appeared to have originated in the nearby pantry.

The homeowner told firefighters he’d thrown some cigarette butts and their ashes into a garbage can in the pantry. That garbage can also contained other refuse and paper products. About 20 minutes later, he was alerted by a smoke detector and returned to the kitchen to find the pantry in flames. He put out the fire using bowls filled with water and then deployed a fire extinguisher. Damage from the fire extended from the pantry into the kitchen and dining areas.

The occupant was evaluated by paramedics and treated on scene for fire-related injuries but was not taken to the hospital.

Posted 02/13/2019 - 9:42am
Contacts: 

Cynthia Schuster (Public Information Officer)