Saratoga Resident Rescued From Fire Sparked By Cigarette

SARATOGA, CA — A improperly discarded cigarette sparked a fire Friday morning in a Saratoga home, a fire official said. Santa Clara County firefighters were dispatched at 8:13 a.m. to the structure fire in the 20500 block of Ashley Way, SCC fire Capt. Bill Murphy stated in a news release.

"The elderly male homeowner was disoriented and unable to locate the fire or exit the home," Murphy said. "Firefighters arrived and found smoke in the residence. They went into rescue mode to locate the homeowner."

Firefighters quickly located the man and brought him to safety outside the home, where he was treated for minor smoke inhalation.

Three engine crews and a rescue unit were among 22 fire department personnel dispatched to the scene near Cox Avenue and Saratoga Sunnyvale Road.

Santa Clara County sheriff's deputies also responded.

The blaze was brought under control at 8:24 a.m. Friday and resulted in "very minor damage" to one room of the home, Murphy said.

As the fire was investigated the cause was determined to be a cigarette that was not properly put out, he said.

Nor were there any working smoke alarms in the home, the captain said.

"Free smoke detectors were provided via Operation Save a Life," Murphy said.

The captain further cautioned that according to the National Fire Protection Administration, cigarettes are the ignition source in fires responsible for over 20 percent of all fire deaths.

"If you smoke, please extinguish your cigarette completely and soak cigarette butts and ashes in water before throwing them away," Murphy said.

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