Smoking causes NN townhouse fire

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) - Fire investigators say carelessly discarded smoking materials led to a fire in the 1000 block of Willow Green Drive in Newport News Thursday morning.

The first call came in at 7:20 a.m., officials said. Firefighters had the fire under control about 25 minutes later.

Crews arriving on scene were greeted to heavy smoke and flames coming from a second floor townhouse. Two of the home's three occupants made it out safely. A third occupant was not home at the time of the fire. The Red Cross is assisting all three with lodging, food and clothing.

According to the two men who were home when the fire began, it appears the fire started in their roommate's bedroom. They told WAVY News 10's Katie Collett that the flames were moving toward them fast, but luckily their rooms were near the stairway, so they were able to escape.

Fire officials said it appears the townhouse is going to have to be condemned, but it's too early to tell if the residents lost everything. Battalion Chief Steve Pincus said there is very heavy fire and smoke damage upstairs.

No one was seriously hurt in the fire, but one of the residents suffered very minor burns and was treated and released at the scene.

The occupants of the home did not have insurance. They are staying with friends for now.