Discarded smokes caused 6 fires in 2 months, fire chief says

After six fires in two months caused by discarded cigarettes, Saskatoon’s fire chief is urging people to be careful how they dispose of their smokes.

The warning comes after two homes were damaged in Confederation Park on Tuesday night, after a cigarette was left in a planter outside.

Fire Chief Morgan Hackl told reporters the fires, which have occurred since mid-March, have caused nearly $3 million in damage, while a dog died in Tuesday’s blaze.

He said vinyl siding and other exterior home materials are extremely flammable, and can cause a major blaze if ignited by a cigarette.

“It spreads very quickly, and burns very hot,” he said.

Hackl noted an outdoor planter is a poor choice for a place to put out a cigarette, because of potential peat moss or fertilizer in the soil, in addition to plastics and the plants themselves.

Instead, smokers should be aiming to put out their cigarettes in a deep ash tray or a can with a lid on it. Sand or water can also be used as a basin.

While Tuesday’s fire came in an older neighbourhood, Hackl pointed out many of the fires have been in newer areas of Saskatoon where building materials can go up in flames faster.

“Even though there’s a little more spacing between homes, in new areas we’re seeing on the exterior of homes the fire moves very quickly and burns so hot it does actually extend to a home next door,” he said.