Fire caused by child playing with lighter

A fire that caused extensive damage to a two-story home last week was determined to have been caused by a child playing with fire.

The blaze, at 2238 S. 43rd Drive, was the result of an 8-year-old child playing with a barbecue lighter in an upstairs bedroom closet. The fire was not immediately discovered and spread from the closet up into the attic areas of the home on June 28, according to a Yuma Fire Department press release.

The high temperatures that evening, combined with the extreme heat of the fire, resulted in one firefighter being treated at Yuma Regional Medical Center for heat exhaustion. He has returned to his duties, the release said.

Three children, ages 8, 11 and 13, were home when the blaze began and were able to escape the fire.

There were no injuries.

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Nicole Squibbs can be reached at nsquibbs@yumasun.com or 539-6855.