Child playing with lighter burns carport

McKinley West volunteer firefighter Chris McAndrews extinguishes the remnants of a fire that destroyed a shed Wednesday along Twin Buttes Road near Gallup. The fire is believed to have been caused by children playing with a cigerette lighter. No injuries were reported. [Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent]

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

GALLUP — A family said a 4-year-old child who was playing with a cigarette lighter, sparked a fire that destroyed their carport.

McKinley West firefighters were dispatched to the 100 block of Twin Buttes Road at about 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday after reports of a structure fire surfaced. Scanner traffic indicated a petroleum tank was close to the burning structure.

However, volunteer firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze and no injuries were reported. The carport, which was full of children's toys and other household items, was destroyed. The main house was not affected. Rick Boardman, the home's owner, sat on his front porch and watched as firefighters sifted through what was left of the carport.

Boardman said his 4-year-old grandson started the fire while playing with a cigarette lighter. He said his granddaughter notified him of the flames.

"To them it's just flames," Boardman said. " ... but by the time we got out here, the fire was really high."

Boardman was more than willing to talk about the incident because he wanted to show the public what can happen when children play with lighters or matches.

McKinley County Sheriff's deputies were also on scene.