1 injured in Fort Lauderdale apartment fire

Firefighters: Fire started by discarded cigarette

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – One person was taken to the hospital after a fire broke out in the mail room of a Fort Lauderdale apartment building.

Firefighters said they arrived around 1 p.m. Thursday to find smoke and flames coming from the first floor mailroom at 440 NE First Ave.

The flames were quickly put out, and firefighters credit a resident of the five-story building with using a fire extinguisher to keep the fire at bay until they arrived.

That resident was taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported.

Authorities said the cause of the fire was accidental, and was started by a discarded cigarette.


About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.