Smoking Materials Spark Apartment Fire In Elkridge

ELKRIDGE, MD — Firefighters are reminding residents to always snuff out smoking materials in an ashtray or bucket with sand after an apartment fire Wednesday night was sparked by the improper disposal of smoking materials.

According to the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services, firefighters were called to an apartment in the 8100 block of Robinson Jefferson Drive for a report of a fire. They found a small fire in an apartment, which was controlled by the activation of a sprinkler system, the department stated. No injuries were reported. Investigators determined the fire was ignited by smoking materials that weren't properly extinguished.

"As a general safety reminder, remember to always put your smoking materials out in an ashtray or bucket with sand. Use ashtrays with a wide base so they won’t tip over and start a fire. Potted plants are not a good place to stub out lit materials," the fire department stated.