Apartment fire in Roanoke sparked by child playing with lighter

Apartment fire in Roanoke sparked by child playing with lighter (Image 1) (Copyright by WSLS - All rights reserved)

ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - A child playing with a lighter started a fire at a local Roanoke City apartment building Monday night. 

Roanoke Fire-EMS says the incident happened at approximately 7:12 p.m. Monday, March 30 in the 2500 block of Delta Drive. 

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When firefighters arrived on the scene, they found a two-story apartment building with several units. Fire and smoke was coming from the second floor. 

Upon further investigation, a fire was found in a bedroom in one of the apartments. Fire officials say they were able to keep the flames contained to the bedroom. 

Three people were in the apartment when the fire started but were able to escape without injury. Officials say the cause of the fire was a child playing with a lighter. 

Damage estimates are approximately $17,000.  Fire officials are reminding parents and caregivers to keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children. They say please talk to your kids about fire safety and practice your exit drill.