Discarded smoking materials to blame for Battle Creek fire

BATTLE CREEK, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Battle Creek Fire Department (BCFD) responded to a structure fire early Monday morning.

Around 12:20 a.m., the department was called to 55 Fremont Street on a report of a multi-family residential structure on fire.

Upon arrival, the fire was not visible, but after entering the building, a small kitchen fire was found in a second floor apartment, which was quickly extinguished.

All occupants had exited the building before the fire was discovered, and no injuries were reported in the incident.

Further investigation revealed that the fire was caused by discarded smoking materials next to trash, the department said.

This comes over a month after a similar Battle Creek fire, which was also caused by discarded smoking materials. In that incident, the occupant of the apartment suffered first degree burns on his forearms while attempting to put the fire out.