Cause of Binghamton House Fire Determined

Binghamton fire department officials have concluded their investigation into a blaze that damage a one-family home on the East Side.

City fire marshal Daniel Eggleston said the May 13 fire at 15 Howard Avenue has been ruled accidental.

Eggleston said the fire has been linked to a cigarette. He said a resident had been talking on the phone in a bedroom. When she left the room, the cigarette fell into a trash can containing some tissues. The tissues ignited, starting the fire.

The fire marshal said the woman poured two buckets of water on the fire but she was not able to extinguish it. She then went to a neighbor's house to call 911.

Eggleston said before leaving the house, the woman closed the bedroom door, helping to contain the fire damage to that room.

No injuries were reported as a result of the blaze.