Discarded Smoking Materials Cause $5K in Townhouse Damage

Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue units were dispatched to a two-story townhouse on Whitaker Place in Dale City Tuesday for a structure fire.

Units were dispatched at noon to the 4600 block of townhouses off of Savannah Drive. 

The fire, which fire investigators determined was caused by discarded smoking materials, caused damage estimated at $5,000.

Fire officials say no one was displaced or injured because of the fire. 

The fire department gives these tips for avoiding smoking-related fires:

• If you smoke, smoke outside.
• Provide an area for individuals to properly extinguish and safely discard smoking materials.
• Do not discard butts or ashes into mulch laden landscapes, flower beds,grassy areas, woods, etc. 
• Before you throw out butts and ashes, douse in water or sand.Use deep, wide, sturdy ashtrays on a sturdy foundation, e.g. table.
• Check under furniture cushions and in other places people smoke for cigarette butts that may have fallen out of sight.
• Be alert when smoking! You won’t be alert if you’re sleepy, have been drinking,or have taken medicine or other drugs.
• Never smoke in a home where medical oxygen is used.
• If you smoke, choose fire-safe cigarettes (www.firesafecigarettes.org/); they are less likely to cause fires.
• Keep matches and lighters out of sight and reach of children.