Escanaba Apartment Fire Caused by Smoking Accident

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The Escanaba Public Safety Department has determined that an apartment fire last month at Harbor Tower Apartments was likely caused by an ignited cigarette or smoking device used on a lounge chair. The fire was quickly extinguished, but two people were injured, including a Public Safety officer and a resident who remains in critical condition.

Why it matters

Apartment fires can pose serious risks to public safety, especially in multi-unit buildings. This incident highlights the importance of fire safety and proper disposal of smoking materials to prevent such accidents from occurring.

The details

According to investigators, the fire originated in a lounge chair within a living room area of the apartment. Evidence suggests the ignition source was likely an ignited cigarette or smoking device used by an individual seated in the chair. The fire was quickly extinguished, but two people were injured - a Public Safety officer who has since recovered, and a Harbor Tower resident who was transported to a burn trauma unit in Milwaukee and remains in critical but stable condition.

• On February 28, officers responded to an active smoke alarm and the smell of smoke at Harbor Tower Apartments.
• The fire was quickly extinguished, preventing it from spreading through the building.

What’s next

Escanaba Public Safety will continue to investigate the incident and work with the apartment building management to ensure proper fire safety protocols are in place.