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Child Playing With Lighter Sets Bed On Fire

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TBO.com

Published: August 19, 2008

TAMPA - When Chieko Milne smelled smoke in her apartment about 2.45 p.m. today, she found her 4-year-old grandson walking out of his bedroom crying, Tampa Fire Rescue officials said.

The smoke was coming from the boy's room. He was playing with a lighter and set the bedding on fire, authorities said.

No one was hurt at Camden Bayside Apartments, 6301 S. Westshore Blvd, or in Milne's building, but the fire caused about $15,000 in damage, officials said. When firefighters entered the apartment, they found that a sprinkler had held the small fire in check.

Fire investigators said that if it had not been for the sprinkler system, the fire would have quickly spread from the bedroom, destroying Milne's apartment and several others. The fire was extinguished in about 10 minutes, officials said.

The boy will be referred to the Juvenile Firesetters Program. The Tampa Fire Rescue workshop is a fire safety program with an emphasis on matches and lighter safety, according to the City of Tampa Web site.

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