Fire Officials: 3-Year-Old Playing With Lighter Causes Blaze
EL PASO, Texas — A 3-year-old playing with a lighter caused a fire at a Northeast apartmentcomplex Wednesday afternoon, El Paso Fire Department officials said.
About 2 p.m., firefighters found heavy smoke and flames coming from a downstairs apartment unit in the 5200 block of Wren.
Two adults and one child safely evacuated the apartment before firefighters arrived. A woman was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation, officials said.
Investigators determined the 3-year-old ignited a blanket in his bedroom. Damage was estimated at $25,000.
In 2009 there have been 11 recorded fires of children playing with matches or lighters in El Paso, officials said.
El Paso fire officials remind parents to put away and secure all matches and lighters with a lock and key to prevent children from getting to them.
