Smoldering ash tray in trash can sparks blaze at home in Fresno

A woman suffered a severe burn on her right hand trying to put out a fire that caused a major damage to a home in west Fresno on Sunday.

Fresno fire received a call around 3:30 p.m. of an out building burning at the corner Mariposa Street and Mayor Avenue, Battalion Chief Thomas Cope said. When crews arrived, they learned that the outbuilding had been turned into a residence for a 58-year-old woman.

The woman told firefighters that she thinks the blaze started after she emptied an ash tray in a trash can, Cope said.

The fire caused major damage estimated at $40,000 to $60,000 to the front interior of the home, Cope said.

This story was originally published December 17, 2017 at 5:11 PM with the headline "Smoldering ash tray in trash can sparks blaze at home in Fresno."