Residents avoid severe damage to their home after fire caused by smoking materials

A cigarette butt and ashes are seen in this undated stock photo. (Basil MK/Pexels.com)

Fire officials in Wasaga Beach are reminding locals about the dangers of lit smoking materials after responding to a fire at a home in the town Saturday afternoon.

According to the Wasaga Beach deputy fire chief, crews were dispatched to an Eberhardt Drive home in Wasaga Beach at around 4:30 p.m. for a reported structure fire.

He says crews found a small fire in the garage that they were able to quickly extinguish, and the occupants had managed to self-evacuate upon their arrival.

The cause of the fire, according to officials, is believed to be a discarded cigarette. The damage was confined to the garage, estimated at $25,000, and the occupants were able to stay in the home.

Fire officials remind residents to always ensure that smoking materials are fully extinguished before discarding them.