Kennewick fire officials say too many people are carelessly snuffing out used cigarettes in something that’s extremely flammable with no idea they are putting themselves and loved ones at risk.
A potted plant is a common thing many of us have near our front doors, but this soil is flammable so when someone snuffs out a smoke. The embers can continue to burn and spark a fire and officials say so many people are doing this it is now the root of several fires in our area.
Sue Leiby woke up to her daughter screaming fire early Sunday morning.
“Three-thirty in the morning, you don't expect to smell smoke,” said Leiby, adding “We were pounding on doors to get people awake and by the time the firemen got here of course both top and bottom balcony were up in flames.”