Discarded Cigarette Likely Cause of Gig Harbor House Fire

Gig Harbor Fire & Medice One released the following information:

Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One was dispatched to the report of a house fire located at the 7200 block of 54th Avenue NW at 6:06 p.m. Thursday evening. 

Arriving on scene, firefighters found a one-story home showing smoke from the gable end and fire on the front porch of the home. 

Determining the fire, which started on the front porch has traveled in to the attic space, firefighters pulled sheetrock from the ceiling in the hallway to gain entry to the area that was burning. 

Quickly extinguishing the fire in the attic and front porch, the fire was under control by 6:25 p.m.

Fast acting neighbors are credited for helping to contain the fire. The homeowner was not home at the time of the fire and a neighbor, who was working in her front yard, directly across the street from the residence, heard a popping sound. Looking up she saw smoke and went to investigate. 

Seeing the front porch area was on fire, she called 911 and had her husband grab a garden hose to try to extinguish the fire. The home owner was on her way home from work and was called by her alarm company and a neighbor.

She arrived home prior to fire department arrival and went in the home to rescue her three dogs. She was exiting through the garage when the firefighters arrived. 

Pierce County Fire Marshal Mark Carmen investigated and found the cause of the fire was improperly discarded smoking materials. 

The home owner told fire officials her adult son had smoked a cigarette on the front porch on Monday and extinguished in to the dirt of a potted plant that was on the front porch. She had taken the butt of the cigarette and extinguished it with water and discarded it. 

Since the potted plant was dead and the dirt was very dry, it is believed the ember from the cigarette smoldered for days and finally ignited. The weather has been dry and warm this week and it is believed to have been a factor.

The loss/damage to the structure and contents is estimated at $20,000.