Cigarette causes $25K damage to Brandon apartment building, firefighters say

A fire caused by a cigarette forced tenants of a Brandon apartment complex to flee their homes Tuesday night.

Firefighters were called just before 11 p.m. to a building with seven units on 17th Street N., near Maple Avenue.

Flames could be seen licking up the southeast side of the complex before spreading into the roof. Fire crews quickly gained control of the fire but remained on scene for well over an hour.

A Brandon Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson said an investigation found the improper disposal of a cigarette caused the fire.

A Brandon transit bus was brought in so the displaced tenants could take shelter while crews fought the fire. Tenants in five of the seven suites were allowed back into their suites Tuesday night, but two suites remain evacuated due to the damage.

The fire caused an estimated $25,000 damage, officials said.