St. Catharines Fire Services is asking residents to be cautious when disposing of smoking materials.
The reminder comes after a blaze caused about $10,000 in damages to a home this morning.
Just after 6:15, fire crews were called to a home on Maracay Way.
Once the fire was put under control, investigators determined that the fire started on a concrete patio underneath wood benches adjacent to the house.
The fire then spread from the wood bench to the home.
Fire Chief Jeff McCormick says that improperly discarded smoking materials can easily spark flames both in and outside of the home.
Smokers are advised to extinguish cigarettes in large, deep ashtrays that can't be knocked over, and empty their ashes into a metal container.
They're also advised not to smoke in bed or use planters or potting materials to put out smokes.
The St. Catharines Fire Service also reminds you to make sure you have properly maintained smoke and carbon monoxide alarms inside your home.
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