Discarded cigarettes cause fire; family displaced

At 9:40 p.m. on April 12, Worland Volunteer Fire Department responded to a call at 2019 Big Horn Avenue Apartment No. 2 to reports of a structural fire on both the interior and exterior of the building.

"Crews extinguished it very rapidly," WVFD First Lieutenant Troy Nelsen detailed, noting that the firefighters worked until midnight to subdue the fire. Five firefighting apparatuses responded to the scene alongside Washakie County Ambulance Services. No personal injuries were reported, though there was damage to many belongings and the structure, including outside yard items, a window and siding, curtains and clothing. American Red Cross of Wyoming reported assistance of two adults and one child affected by the fire.

According to the Fire Department's Facebook page, the cause of the fire was determined to be discarded cigarettes igniting dry leaves at the base of the house. The post warned that dry foliage at this time of year is conducive to fire, and that smoking materials should be properly disposed of both around the home and along highways.

Nelsen noted that no smoke detectors were present in the home. A neighbor warned the residents of a fire at their front door, which triggered emergency responses. The occupants were blocked in by the fire, but able to escape through a secondary exit as first responders arrived at the scene. Though neighbors were temporarily evacuated, the fire did not impact any surrounding buildings.

"We do appreciate neighborly communications," Nelsen said. "We recommend having detectors and checking them every six months."