Madras duplex deck fire traced to cigarettes

A fire broke out Saturday morning on the deck of a Madras duplex and threatened to move into the home, fanned by high winds, but was stopped by neighbors and fire crews, officials said — and was sparked by improperly extinguished cigarettes.

Jefferson County Fire District No. 1 crews arrived around 10:40 a.m. at the duplex in the 200 block of Northeast Ninth Street, finding neighbors putting out the blaze, as residents were not home, said fire Captain Kasey Skaar.

The first engine split its crew, with one crew to check the deck for extension into the duplex or adjacent unit and overhaul the burned area, Skaar said. The other crew gained access to the attic and found no extension into the area.

A second engine crew called to the scene was available for other calls. A total of three staff and nine volunteers were called out.

“Due to the high winds, the fire could have burned quickly and could have been much worse,” Skaar said, thanking neighbors and fire crews for their quick response.

“Always remember to fully extinguish smoking materials and put (them in a ) safe location, Skaar said.