CUMBERLAND — Friday’s fire at 209 Saratoga Street was caused by improperly discarded smoking materials that ignited a bed of mulch, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The 6:58 a.m., accidental fire was quickly extinguished by the Cumberland Fire Department that controlled the blaze five minutes into the emergency operation following dispatch by the Allegany Couty 911 emergency center, officials said.
No injuries were reported.
Damage to the property, owned by Brandon Parsons, was estimated at $2,000 as the fire extended from a bed of mulch to a porch of the two-story dwelling before it was extinguished by city firefighters with assistance of allied volunteer fire departments.
Smoke detectors in the residence were activated by the accidental fire, according to state fire investigators.