'Careless Smoking' Cause in Lakepointe Fire

For the second time in a matter of months, careless smoking has been determined to be the cause behind a three-alarm fire that heavily damaged a duplex.

Crews from , the and battled before getting it under control.

Originally, officials did not believe anyone was inside the two-story duplex when the fire ignited but through the investigation that followed, it was discovered one of the tennants said he had been smoking in the attic, Park Capt. David Loch said Monday.

The tennant was apologetic and cooperative with investigators, Loch said. He tried to put the fire out himself but couldn't and then another resident called 911, Loch said. The cigarette caught the insulation on fire, he said.

The fire has been ruled as accidental. The duplex sustained heavy damage throughout but especially on the second floor and in the attic, half of which no longer exists as it burned away.

This is the second time since mid-January that a fire destroyed a multi-family home and was due to careless smoking. A .

This is the third three-alarm fire in matter of months as well.

The same crews were called to . The house sustained little damage and was ruled accidental. It began in the walls near the fireplace and worked its way up the wall.

In early March, the same crews were called to . The store is being rebuilt and the owners have opened a temporary storefront about a block away.

Related to Sunday's fire in Grosse Pointe Park, Loch said it was not clear why the resident was smoking in the attic but was of age.

Residents are not likely staying in the duplex because of its condition but none requested help in finding alternative temporary housing, Loch said.

The last major fire in Grosse Pointe Park, according to what officials could recall from memory, was That fire was also .