Fire Marshal says discarded cigarette butt is the cause of apartment complex fire in Fayetteville

Imagine being at home, minding your own business, when someone comes banging on your door and says the apartment is on fire. Get out!

That was the scene for some Fayetteville residents who experienced a fire that broke out Tuesday night around 8 p.m. at the Bone Creek Apartments on Winward Cove on Cliffdale Rd.

Crystal Wilson, was among those forced out. She said she got a mouth full of smoke.

"Coming down the stairs, smoke was coming up,” said Wilson. "They were spraying from the hoses already; I came out and just kind of waited around."

Wilson wasn't the only one waiting around. Resident Marla-Fay Lockwood said she lived in the apartment just below where the fire broke out and made a mad dash to safety.

"My immediate reaction was just to grab me, my son, and whatever was on us," said Lockwood. "I just immediately got out of there because I did not want my son to be too close to the flames and both of us to inhale smoke."

Crews were able to get the fire under control within 20 minutes but not before it had done extensive damage to the second- and third-floor apartments.

T.J. McLamb, Fayetteville fire marshal, said the fire started when someone discarded smoking material on a second-floor balcony.

"A lot of people use plants; you know it's dry and the peat moss in there can ignite," said McLamb. "You know, dumping it in the mulch right outside, again, just be cognizant, especially this time of year with low humidity and high winds."

"There's so much damage over one cigarette and a little bit of wind,” said Wilson. "It's just amazing the damage it can cause."

Some residents were able to move into other apartments in the complex, and others were getting assistance through Red Cross, property management and volunteers.