Six Displaced After St. Cloud House Fire Caused by Discarded Smoking Materials

(KNSI) – Six people are displaced after a fire damaged a St. Cloud home Thursday afternoon.

The St. Cloud Fire Department was called to 1200 13th Street North just after 4:15 p.m. on May 7th. Crews arrived to find heavy smoke and fire on the exterior of the home, both above and below the deck, with flames extending into the first and second floors.

Firefighters knocked down the exterior fire before launching an interior attack. A search of the home confirmed no one was inside. Crews then ventilated the residence to clear smoke and completed overhaul operations to make sure the fire was fully out.

The fire was contained to the home, but a neighboring residence sustained minor heat damage from the exterior flames before crews arrived. The American Red Cross is assisting the six displaced tenants.

Fire Marshal Brian Kiffmeyer says the cause was discarded smoking materials. He is reminding residents to fully extinguish smoking materials in a non-combustible container, and to never dispose of cigarettes or ashes in planters, mulch, flowerpots, or on combustible decks and balconies.

Mayo Ambulance, St. Cloud Health Department, and the Red Cross also responded to the scene.

___