Smoking to blame for two overnight fires

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Wilmington fire crews responded to two separate fires that broke out within an hour of each other.

The first happened around 11:15 p.m. at a home in the 100 block of Quail Ridge Road. The front porch of the home was on fire, but the resident had put out the fire by the time crews arrived. Firefighters helped remove smoke from inside the home. The fire caused $5,000 in damage.

The next fire started at around 12:20 a.m. at a home in the 1100 block of Chestnut Street. Fire crews say it started on the exterior of the home in the rear. Some of the fire spread into the attic area.  This fire caused about $10,000 in damage.

Firefighters have wrapped up their investigation and determined improperly discarded smoking material is to blame for both fires.