Massive fire at Johnston apartment building caused by discarded cigarette

JOHNSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — A fire that tore through an apartment building in Johnston started after a cigarette was thrown into mulch, Fire Marshal Timothy McLaughlin said Tuesday.

Flames broke out at a building at Simmons Village on Sunday afternoon.

An ABC 6 News crew on scene saw smoke rising and firefighters coming in and out of the significantly damaged building.

Residents told ABC 6 the people that lived in the building are in their 70s and 80s, and many were unable to get themselves out.

Firefighters quickly formed ways to get residents to safety, including taking some out of the third floor window on a ladder.

All involved are expected to be OK. One firefighter and three residents were hospitalized with minor injuries.

The fire displaced upwards of 40 people. The Red Cross is helping many of them.