Cigarette caused balcony fire

A tossed cigarette caused a balcony fire at the Sentinel apartment complex in Kavanagh St on June 14.

A lit cigarette was discarded from a higher level, landing on a 13th-floor balcony and setting the outdoor furniture in flames.

Melbourne Fire Brigade (MFB) said fire crews arrived at the scene and found thick, black smoke coming out of the balcony.

The fire was quickly put out and did not spread to other apartments.

Discarded cigarettes are one of the most common causes of balcony fires each year.

MFB said cigarettes must be fully extinguished and disposed of in heavy, high-sided ashtrays.

MFB advised apartment residents to remove flammable items from their balconies and keep a dry-powder fire extinguisher at hand.