Cigarette blamed for fire at Picnic Point four-plex

PICNIC POINT — A discarded cigarette burned the back deck at a four-plex on Saturday night, temporarily displacing a family from one of the units, Snohomish County Fire District 1 said.

The fire on the 14000 block of 61st Place W, south of Mukilteo, was first reported around 11:15 p.m.

A barbecue tank exploded before crews arrived, District 1 spokeswoman Leslie Hynes said. Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames on the first-floor deck and limited damage to the outside of the building.

The local American Red Cross chapter helped the family of four whose home had minor smoke and water damage, Hynes said.

A fire investigator determined that a cigarette likely caused the fire, she said. Estimated damage was $14,000.

Cigarettes, pipes, cigars and other smoking materials are the leading cause of fire deaths in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Agency.

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