5-Year-Old Playing With Gun-Shaped Lighter Starts Fire

EL PASO, Texas –Ablaze at a Northeast El Paso apartment complex was caused by a five-year-old boy playing with a novelty lighter that looked like a toy gun, fire officials said.

Novelty lighters that are widely available available at convenience stores in El Paso and nationwide can be deadly in the hands of a child.

TheIdeaBank.comhas started a campaign against the sale of novelty lighters in the U.S.

“Kids pick them up and think they’re toys,” said Richard Lambert, president of The Idea Bank.

Wade Warling, the batallion chief who was at the scene of Thursday morning’s fire in Northeast El Paso, said the problem of children starting fires is becoming “more and more prevalent.”

Fire officials said Thursday morning’s fire was the fifth started by a child under 18 in the past six days. Four were started by teenage girls. This year,13 fires in El Paso have been set by children playing with lighters, according to fire officials.

Thursday morning’s fire broke out about 8:30 a.m. at the Autumn Manor Apartments at 9960 McCombs.

No one was hurt, but the fire did cause $20,000 in damage.

The father of the child who allegedly set the fire lit a cigarette shortly after firefighters put out the fire at his home.

He would not speak with ABC-7, but other parents were concerned about the problem.

Veronica Lascurain said her 2-year-old son Christian is naturally curious. “Kids are attracted to different things, so don’t buy those…Be very careful with kids because they get into everything.”

Over 20 states have pushed or passed legislation to get rid of novelty lighters, Lambert said.

Texas House Bill 90 addresses banning novelty lighters, but it has yet to pass in the state.

El Paso fire officials urge all parents to keep all lighters and matches away from their children and lock them up with a lock and key. They also offer these safety tips:

* Store matches and lighters out of children’s reach and sight, up high, preferably in a locked cabinet.

* Never use lighters or matches as a source of amusement for children; they may imitate you.

* If your child expresses curiosity about fire or has been playing with fire, calmly but firmly explain that matches and lighters are tools for adults only.

* Use only lighters designed with child-resistant features. Remember child-resistant does not mean child proof.

* Teach young children and school-age children to tell an adult if they see matches or lighters.

* Never leave matches or lighters in a bedroom or any place where children may go without supervision.

* If you suspect your child is intentionally setting fires or unduly fascinated with fire get help from your local fire department.