Cigarette causing a dangerous fire

By Justin Dionne

GP House Fires

GPFD reminding residents to “butt out” after house fires caused by smoking

Apr 24, 2019 | 6:30 AM

The Grande Prairie Fire Department is reminding residents to “butt out” when finished smoking.

The reminder comes after four separate structure fires occurred in the last two weeks which were caused by lit cigarettes or matches that weren’t properly extinguished.

Fire Marshall James Kostuk explains these fires are completely preventable, and those who do smoke need to pay attention what happens with their cigarettes once they’re done with them.

“Make sure your cigarette is out, and then from there, just make sure that you use the appropriate receptacle to put out your cigarette,” says Kostuk. “Don’t use a potting plant, don’t use a garden, don’t throw it against a building where there’s maybe some leaves. We know in the city of Grande Prairie it’s quite windy; that wind is just going to provide oxygen to that fire and make it grow pretty quick, pretty fast.”

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The GPFD says it’s also a good idea to use a deep, sturdy ash tray, or an aluminum can or metal bucket with some water in it to properly dispose of used cigarettes or matches.

Another warning Kostuk offers about smoking fires are that there is potential for an outdoor fire to spread onto a home while those inside are unaware of it.

“These fires, they don’t get noticed because they’re outside the home. So really, the entire house can be on fire, that fire gets into the eaves that goes into your attic, and you’re still sleeping away because you don’t have a smoke alarm in your attic space or on the exterior of your home. So that’s where the real problem’s coming in. It’s starting on the outside and making its way inside.”

He notes the leading area of origin for home smoking fires took place on an exterior balcony or porch.

The National Fire Protection Association says smoking is the leading cause of home fire deaths, and Kostuk adds it’s the second leading cause for residential fires in Grande Prairie.

Tuesday evening, The Beaverlodge Fire Department was relaying the same kind of message: