Pets die in Lewes house fire reportedly caused by child with lighter

Investigators in Delaware are saying that a Tuesday morning house fire, was caused by a child playing with a lighter.

The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office says the fire started around 11:45 AM at a home on Harts Road, in Lewes. The Lewes Volunteer Fire Department, arrived, and found smoke coming from the house. Officials say LVFD with help from the Rehoboth Beach, and Indian River fire companies, put out the blaze.

The occupants had apparently been alerted to the fire by smoke detectors. No injuries were reported, however two family pets were reportedly found dead inside the home.

Investigators say the fire started in the dining room of the home, where a child was playing with a cigarette lighter. The lighter reportedly caught nearby combustible material on fire. Damages were reportedly estimated at $8,500.