House fire in South Hadley caused by smoker, prompting safety reminder from officials

The South Hadley Fire District 1 station.

The South Hadley Fire District 1 station. GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

By EMILEE KLEIN

Staff Writer

Published: 08-23-2024 4:34 PM

SOUTH HADLEY — A porch fire early Sunday was most likely caused by smoking materials, prompting fire officials to remind smokers to use caution when disposing of cigarette butts.

Fire District 1 responded to the fire at 3 Warner St., in the town’s Falls section, at 5:13 a.m. Sunday. Using a hose attached to a fire truck, the firefighters restricted the burn to the porch and extinguished the fire. Fire District 2 provided backup.

The three residents who lived in the home had already evacuated by the time first responders arrived.

“Fortunately, no one was injured in this incident,” Fire District 1 Chief Thomas Stark said in a statement put out Friday by State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine’s office. “Still, it’s a strong reminder for smokers to use caution and care with smoking materials. Tossing cigarette butts into leaves or mulch, dropping them in planters, or stubbing them out on a railing can start a fire that grows and spreads before anyone is aware of the danger.”

State Police fire investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s office collaborated with Fire District 1 personnel to interview witnesses and review the scene of the fire. They concluded that the fire most likely started in an enclosed area of the porch, and that some poorly discarded smoking materials began the fire.

“Massachusetts fire departments have reported nearly 9,000 smoking fires over the past five years,” Davine said. “If you still smoke or have guests who do, always use a heavy ashtray with water or sand to extinguish cigarette butts. Put it out, all the way, every time.”

Smoking fires in Massachusetts caused 175 fire service injuries, 128 civilian injuries, 41 civilian deaths, and more than $100 million in damages between 2019 and 2023.

Emilee Klein can be reached at eklein@gazettenet.com.

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