Arvada fire crews responded to reports of a house fire at approximately 11:20 pm on July 6, 2008. First arriving crews found heavy fire and smoke coming from a second story window on the front of the home. Fire crews were able to limit the fire damage to an upstairs bedroom and hallway. There was some additional fire damage to the outside of the home after the fire broke through the exterior windows. There was smoke, heat and water damage throughout the main and upper floors of the home.

The sole occupant of the home was transported to Lutheran Medical Center with possible smoke inhalation injuries. No firefighters were injured while fighting this blaze.

The resident informed emergency crews that she had home oxygen tanks inside the residence but they were not damaged by the fire.

The Arvada Fire Department's Fire Marshal has determined that the cause of the fire was careless smoking. The resident stated that she was smoking in bed while wearing her home oxygen when she fell asleep. She stated that she woke up to her bed on fire.

SAFETY INFORMATION - According to the National Fire Protection Association, roughly 25% of all fire related deaths were smoking related in 2005 making smoking the leading cause of fire deaths in the United States. Even though they are less likely to smoke than younger adults, older adults are at the highest risk of death or injury from smoking-material fires. The material that was most commonly first ignited in home smoking-material fire deaths were mattresses and bedding and upholstered furniture.