A child playing with a cigarette lighter accidentally started a fire that forced a family out of their home according to Burlington, Iowa fire investigators.
The fire was reported at a house in the 1300 block of South Central Avenue at about 5:15 p.m. Monday, November 17, 2014. Smoke was visible from the second floor when firefighters arrived.
A woman and her two children were home at the time, and they escaped unharmed.
Fire investigators later ruled the fire cause was accidental, and “a result of a child playing with a cigarette lighter” according to Fire Marshal Mark Crooks.
“There were no working smoke detectors in the house,” Crooks said.
Damage was estimated at more than $30,000 to the structure plus $5,000 to the contents.
No injuries were reported.
