BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — Five people are displaced after what is being called the “careless disposal of smoking materials” caused an apartment fire.
Crews with the Bloomington Fire Department were called at 7:58 p.m. to the 400 block of Douglas Street to a report of a structure fire, said Capt. Frank Friend.
On their way, crews were told it was a working fire. They arrived within four minutes and found heavy flames that had extended into the attic of a house which was split into two apartments, he said.
They began to put out the fire while searching both apartments for people who might be stranded inside. No one was found in the building during the search, Friend said.
The front apartment had a large amount of fire damage, while the rear apartment had water and smoke damage, he said. No estimate has been given so far on the damage.
More than 30 firefighters were called to respond to the fire, and Friend said off-duty firefighters were called in to help cover the rest of the city.
He said investigators ruled the cause as “careless disposal of smoking materials.”
He also used the time to stress the importance of renters insurance for incidents like this.
He said people who are smoking should use the following are steps to prevent fires:
- Always use a deep, sturdy ashtray.
- Never discard cigarettes in potted plants, mulch, or directly into the trash.
- Ensure smoking materials are completely extinguished before disposal.
- Never smoke in bed or when drowsy.
No injuries to firefighters or residents were reported.
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