Flower pots, smokers linked to 150 fires in Montreal in June

Lee Plett: Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

Monday, June 27, 2016, 6:26 PM - It's been a dry summer in Montreal with the city receiving only 50 per cent of its typical rainfall totals. And with the drought-like conditions has come a new concern for local firefighters: flower pot fires.

The current conditions -- coupled with careless cigarette smokers and urban flower pots -- prompted fire crews to respond to over 150 calls about flower pot fires in the city in June alone.

Smokers are reportedly tossing still burning cigarettes into flower beds and pots, where they can smoulder in cedar and mulch for days before eventually catching fire.

Ian Ritchie of the Montreal fire department told the CBC that 20 fires sparked in flower pots have actually spread to buildings since April.

Over the weekend, a discarded cigarette in a flower pot sparked a large fire at the Milano grocery store. The establishment has since been forced to close, putting dozens out of work. Officials say it could take weeks for the store to re-open.

It's believed the cigarette was left in a flower pot in a balcony above the store. Seven people have been left homeless following the incident as well.

Ritchie told the CBC people who smoke on the street need to "be vigilant" and discard their cigarettes in safe, non-combustible and designated places.

Source: CBC

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