Smoking materials suspected cause of Thickwood deck fire

After a weekend fire, residents are being reminded to make sure smoking materials are fully extinguished before walking away.

On July 19, Fort McMurray firefighters were called out to a Jackpine Way mobile home shortly after midnight. On arrival, they found a resident working to put the fire out on his deck. The fire was quickly extinguished.

Damage was contained to the deck. Fire investigators say the fire originated in a plant pot, caused from improperly extinguished smoking materials.

Smoking materials are a leading cause of house fires in Wood Buffalo.

Fire Prevention teams strongly advise people against discarding butts in plant pots. Potting soil, peat moss or other types of soil may smolder for hours or even days before a wind gust ignites a serious fire.

Make sure smoking materials are completely extinguished and disposed of in a designated ashtray, or a sturdy metal container filled with sand or water. Never throw them out of your vehicle window, on the ground, in vegetation, or near flammable materials.