By Rylie Friesen—
A residential fire on a side street off Greenback Lane took the life of a Citrus Heights man on Christmas Eve, authorities said.
A news release sent out by the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District said crews arrived to a home on the 6900 block of Brookhaven Way at 11:49 p.m. on Dec. 24, following a call from neighbors about a fire at the home. The blaze was quickly knocked out by midnight, but an adult male was found deceased in a rear bedroom.
According to Metro Fire, an arson investigator determined the fire to be an accident caused from smoldering cigarettes located in the same room as the deceased occupant.
Noting that the house contained three inoperable smoke detectors, Metro Fire emphasized the importance of having working smoke detectors in all homes, stating that they can “save lives by alerting building occupants of a fire while it is still small,” making evacuation possible. Smoke detectors over 10 years old should be replaced.
“Those who choose to smoke cigarettes should avoid doing so indoors and never in bed,” said Metro Fire Captain Chris Vestal in Wednesday’s news release. He also said cigarette butts should always be disposed of in a non-combustible container.
As of Thursday morning, the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office had not yet released the name of the man who was killed in the Christmas Eve fire.
In an email to media about the incident, Citrus Heights Police Dispatcher Scott Kermgard said “the CHPD family and Sacramento Metro Fire District are saddened by this tragedy and offers our warmest condolences to the decedent’s family and friends.”
