Concord Apartment Complex Fire Caused By Cigarette Butts: Marshal

CONCORD, NH — Cigarette butts disposed of in a plastic container have been deemed the cause of an apartment fire on Bog Road in late April, according to the Concord Fire Department.

On April 26, firefighters were sent to the Pinewood Village Apartments for a fire in Building 2 of the 24-unit structure. Flames were seen coming from the second and third floors of the building as well as an attic. The fire later went to two alarms, with firefighters around the region assisting.

The fire also led to two Concord firefighters being burned.

Concord Fire Marshal Paul Sirois said on Monday that the fire was accidental and determined to be caused by a cigarette that was not put out.

"The initial fuel source was a significant quantity of cigarette butts stored in a plastic container on the balcony of one of the apartments," he said. "The dry and windy conditions around the time of the fire contributed to the rapid growth and spread of the fire."

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Sirois said all cigarettes need to be "fully extinguished" and residents should "properly dispose of smoking materials in a non-combustible receptacle that is emptied regularly" — especially during dry or drought conditions.

Concord Fire Chief Sean Brown did not know the value of the damage to the building at post time but said the entire building was assessed at around $1.5 million. The four buildings and property are assessed at slightly more than $5.2 million, according to the city's assessing database.

About $6,000 was raised for tenants via two GoFundMe.com efforts.

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