Porch Fire Caused by Discarded Cigarette

The Martinsville Fire Company responded to a report of a porch structure fire Tuesday morning, caused by a discarded cigarette.

The structure fire was reported at 1:58 a.m. Tuesday on Timberline Drive.

"Upon arrival, firefighters found that a porch, attached to the residence, had caught fire due to the homeowner dropping a cigarette through the decking, which ignited dry leaves and debris under the porch," said Bill Rose, of the Martinsville Fire Company.

Rose said the homeowner attempted to extinguish the flames, and firefighters finished the job using water-can extinguishers.

"Firefighters inspected the area to be sure no live embers remained before securing the scene," he said.

Rose said no one was injured in the fire, and the damage was limited to the porch. The homeowner was not displaced from his property, he said.

"The fire was accidental and not considered suspicious," he said.