Smoldering ashtray sparks Boardman fire

Smoldering ashtray sparks Boardman fire

BOARDMAN

Fire investigators believe smoldering material in an ashtray is responsible for a Monday fire that sent a man to the hospital.

Fire crews were called to 1550 Tamarisk Trail about 11:35 a.m. Monday and saw smoke pouring out of the house. Firefighters said everyone was out of the house by the time they arrived. Investigators said it appears a man who resides at the house emptied the contents of an ashtray that apparently still had hot embers in it into a trash can.

The man was burnt on his hands and foot and was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Akron for treatment, officials said.

The estimated damage was $7,000 to the property and $22,000 to the contents, records stated.