JOHNSONBURG – Careless smoking caused a fire inside a Johnsonburg apartment at 5:10 a.m. Friday, according to the Ridgway-based state police.
The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal and the Johnsonburg fire and police departments investigated the origin and cause of the fire. The fire damaged an apartment at 426 Water Street Ext., where Sandra E. Hale of Johnsonburg resided.
Three children were inside the apartment along with Hale at the time of the fire. An 8-year-old boy was treated for minor burns to his hand and released from the Elk Regional Health Center, state police said.
The fire originated in a 13-year-old boy’s bed, and careless smoking caused the fire. Damage was minimal as Hale was able to extinguish the fire prior to the fire department’s arrival to the scene, state police said.
Charges are currently pending against Hale for furnishing tobacco to minors.