A DISCARDED cigarette stub is thought to have caused a house fire.
The alarm was raised by a neighbour who spotted windows of the house in Dallas Court, Hemlington, Middlesbrough, blackened with smoke and soot six hours after the woman who lives there had left to visit her mother.
The fire damaged a first-floor bedroom, and caused smoke damage to much of the house.
Pat McLoughlin, watch manager at Coulby Newham fire station, said yesterday: "We were called just after seven o'clock last night and the occupant had left the address at one o'clock in the afternoon.
"There was severe smoke damage to the first floor, with very little actual fire damage.
"It would appear to have been a very slow burning fire, which caused a lot of smoke damage. We put it down to careless discarded smoking materials.
"It is possible there will be further investigation."
He added: "There were no persons in the premises at the time.''
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article