A Bartholomew County Sheriff deputy helped Columbus firefighters prevent major fire damage to a home in the 6000 block of Prairie Stream Way believed to have been caused by an improperly discarded cigarette. Firefighters were sent to the possible house fire at 3:55 p.m. Monday, said Capt. Mike Wilson, Columbus Fire Department spokesman. A resident of 6039 Prairie Stream Way had discovered a fire on the wooden patio deck at the back of the home, Wilson said. As firefighters were being sent to the home, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Sgt. Andrew Dougan, who was traveling north on Talley Road when the dispatch went out, said he heard the fire call being dispatched about the same time he witnessed smoke coming from the rear of the Prairie Stream Way home, Wilson said. Dougan used a dry powder fire extinguisher in an attempt to put out the fire, Wilson said.