LYNNWOOD — A cigarette that was discarded in landscape bark June 13 started a fire that damaged a home in the 7000 block of 168th St. SW. in Lynnwood.
According to Lynnwood fire inspector Leroy McNulty, the fire started in a landscaped garden area outside the home.
On arrival, firefighters found flames coming through the roof of the garage at the front of the home. The homeowner and her neighbors were spraying the fire with garden hoses, “but were losing ground quickly,” McNulty said.
“The fire was extinguished within three minutes by the first arriving firefighters,” McNulty said. “Most of the fire damage was limited to the garage and personal belongings inside.” There was also minor damage to a fence and landscaping, he added.
Damage was estimated to be approximately $25,000, he said.
“The likely ignition source was a carelessly discarded cigarette in the landscape bark,” he said.
Firefighters from Lynnwood, Edmonds, and Snohomish County Fire District 1 responded to the call.
McNulty said the interior fire damage to the home was limited because of the sheetrock installed between the living area and the garage.
“This family was very fortunate to have the damage contained to such a small area,” McNulty said.
According to Lynnwood Fire Marshal John Conderman, this is the time of year when landscaping, grass and ordinary combustibles begin to dry out and can help spread fire into the most unlikely areas.
“This is just another example of how a simply discarded cigarette can turn into tragedy for an unsuspecting homeowner,” Conderman said.
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