By Jameel Harris
WUSA9
POTOMAC, Md. — Montgomery County fire officials say a carelessly discarded cigarette is the cause of a house fire that sent homeowners and a firefighter to the hospital.
Fire crews were called to the 8100 block of Whites Ford Way in Potomac, Maryland, shortly after 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon.
They transported a 87-year-old male in critical condition with burns and smoke inhalation. An 85-year-old female was transported with smoke related injuries. A firefighter was also transported with a burn to his shoulder.
Investigators said the couple was smoking non-fire safe cigarettes. Fire safe cigarettes will extinguish themselves when left alone.
Maryland passed a law last year banning non-fire safe cigarettes to avoid fires like this.
Fire officials did not have a damage estimate on the home.
Republished with permission from WUSA9.