October 13, 2004

Flowerpot fire spreads to Smith Valley home

       A flowerpot used as an ashtray ignited early Tuesday, causing a fire that damaged a White River Township home.  Investigators believe that a cigarette inside the flowerpot, which was sitting against the home, smoldered in the dry soil and caused the fire to spread, said Lt. Jim Engmark of the White River Township Fire Department.  Firefighters were called at 12:09 a.m. Tuesday to the house at 5117 Old Smith Valley Road.  A deck on the front porch and vinyl siding on the home were damaged by the fire, Engmark said.  Damage is estimated at about $2,000.

         The homeowner, his wife and their three children were in the home when the fire started.  The family called 911 and waited outside, Engmark said.  Their names were unavailable Tuesday.  The wife told investigators that she discovered the fire on her way to bed.  The fire already had climbed up an exterior wall, Engmark said.  She used a garden hose to put out the blaze before firefighters arrived.  No injuries were reported.

         White River Township firefighters spent about 30 minutes removing pieces of the wooden deck and smoldering siding from the home to prevent more flare-ups, Engmark said.  The flames did not spread to the home's interior, but firefighters had to clear smoke from the attic.  The family was able to return to the home, Engmark said.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)

 

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