August 21, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2007-61) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org DISCARDED SMOKING MATERIALS CAUSE OF HOUSE FIRE Mobile firefighters responded to a house fire located at 1678 Cattleman Court in the Semmes area Sunday evening, August 19. The 911 call was received at approximately 10:37 p.m. When firefighters arrived on the scene they reported heavy fire showing through the roof of the one-story, wood frame structure. The occupants/owners, Steven and Candace Alpin, escaped without apparent injury. It appears the fire started on the front porch where the Alpin’s had been using a plastic flower pot to discard their cigarette butts and empty cigarette packs. The pot and its contents caught on fire and extended up the wood veneer wall to the ceiling above the porch. The fire burned through the ceiling and entered into the attic space doing heavy damage to the wood framing members and burning through the roof. Damage is estimated at approximately $65 thousand. No injuries were reported. Mobile Fire-Rescue engines 1, 22, 29, truck 5, rescue 1 and District 3 Chief Robert Thornton, as well as units from Semmes Volunteer Fire Department responded to the fire. ###