Smoking Caused Five-Alarm Lawrence Fire: Investigators

LAWRENCE — The Sunday night Lawrence fire that engulfed three buildings was caused by "the improper disposal of smoking materials," officials said Wednesday.

The fire began in a carport at the back of 14 Saratoga Street, state and Lawrence officials announced. It spread quickly to the building, then to 12 Saratoga Street and 19 Bennington Street before firefighters arrived. All three buildings were declared a total loss.

16 Saratoga Street, 21 Bennington Street and 23 Bennington Street also suffered exterior damage, and a car and a motorcycle were destroyed. Damage is estimated at over $1 million.

One woman was treated at a hospital and released. No firefighters were injured and there were no deaths. Sixteen people were displaced; the Red Cross is assisting them.

“It’s good that smokers go outdoors to smoke, but it is so important to properly dispose of smoking materials," Lawrence Fire Chief Brian Moriarty said. "Use a metal can filled with water and sand. Don’t drop on the ground, in mulch or dried leaves or potted plants or mix with trash.”

"This is the time of year when smoking causes so many fires," State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey said. “A smoldering cigarette can quickly be fanned to life on a windy day. Until you can quit, be a responsible smoker. Put it out. All the way. Every time.”

Moriarty noted that the fire could have been much worse if it had occurred late at night when people were asleep.

"Exterior fires can get a hold of a building before the smoke alarms alert residents to danger," the chief said. "And most of our older wooden buildings have no fire sprinklers that would control the fire and give people more time to escape.”

Lawrence Mayor Kendrys Vasquez thanked the fire department and the 24 other communities that provided mutual aid.

"It is important for members of our community to understand the importance of fire safety," he said. "We must regularly change the batteries in our smoke alarms, come up with a plan for escaping a fire in the case one arises in our home, and make sure that if there is a fire we give the fire department plenty of space and keep a distance in order for them to be able to do their job.”

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.