Cigarette to blame for starting Northwest Austin apartment fire

As smoke and flames shot through the roof of their neighbors' Northwest Austin apartment, Renee Coats and Tim Schupmann sprang into action.
“I saw flames and smoke and called 911,” said Coats. “Then I ran and kicked on doors, knocked on doors and tried to get everybody out.”
“I got the hose and I started spraying [the fire], said Schupmann. “I didn't realize how much it got into the fireplace chute.”
The fire swept through building 3 of the Woodstone Apartments around 2 PM Saturday.
Fabian Rosado and his dog Rico, escaped unharmed.
“I was napping and Rico started barking and woke me up,” said Rosado.
Rosado grabbed the most important thing to him before he got out.
“My mom’s picture,” he said. “Everything else can be replaced.”
Firefighters arrived within minutes and started battling the flames. Twenty-seven crews quickly had the fire under control. They kept the flames from spreading through the entire complex.
Investigators say a cigarette left on the second story balcony started the fire. They say this isn't the first time something like this has happened.
“Once again as we have seen too many times in the past several weeks, we're looking at a smoking related fire,” said Austin Battalion Chief Thayer Smith.
This month alone cigarettes are to blame for at least four fires.
“It's getting to the point this is a significant problem that we need to talk to the public about,” said Smith.
Three apartments were damaged, forcing three residents to find a new place to live. The total cost of the fire is estimated at $85,000. One firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion. No one else was hurt.
Firefighters recommend people who smoke on balconies, bring a glass bottle filled with water to put out their cigarettes properly.