Fire in Chesterfield forest caused by cigarette, officials say

A brush fire that charred about 75 acres Monday and forced the evacuation of 20 homes along Cattail Road in Chesterfield County probably was started by a tossed cigarette, fire officials said yesterday.

Fire crews mopped up operations by yesterday about 4 p.m. from the fire that was reported late Monday afternoon. Investigators believe the blaze was ignited by a lighted cigarette tossed from a moving car in the 13400 block of Nash Road, said fire Capt. Robby Dawson.

The fast-moving fire, fueled by the dry conditions and wind, spread from the side of the road into a 1,400-acre pine forest.

Dawson said investigators based their conclusions on witness statements and cigarette butts found along the roadside. As a precaution Monday night, authorities issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents about 20 homes from about 5 to 8:40 p.m.

-- Mark Bowes