Careless Smoking Causes Apartment Fire

Carless smoking in bed caused an apartment fire late Tuesday that hospitalized the occupant and caused about $7,000 in damage, according to Station 56 Fire Marshal Sam Ashmar.

Firefighters responded to a 5:12 p.m call at Oakwood Apartments at 5300 Tilghman Street Tuesday afternoon. The occupant, 55-year-old Cynthia Leiby, was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest with non life-threatening injuries sustained while trying to contain the fire. Leiby is currently displaced from the second floor unit.

Firefighters from Upper Macungie Township Stations 56, Fogelsville Fire Company, Cetronia Fire Company as well as Cetronia Ambulance responded.

Ashmar, in a release, said the activation of a smoke detector that alerted the sleeping occupant likely prevented significant injuries or the loss of life.