A 21-year-old male student caused an accidental fire at about 5 p.m. April 17 in his University Village apartment after disposed ashes from his pipe ignited, MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said.
The student was smoking a tobacco pipe outside of his apartment and dumped the ashes in the trash when he came back in, McGlothian-Taylor said.
Once inside the trash can, the ashes ignited. The student attempted to extinguish the fire by removing the flaming trash bag from the can, rushing outside and throwing it in the dumpster. MSU police officers and members of the East Lansing Fire Department responded to the incident.
Firefighters extinguished the small flame and inspected the dumpster and the student’s room to assess any potential damage. Smoke and ashes were visible in the apartment, but there was no damage to the apartment, the trash can or the dumpster.
University Village management was notified of the incident.
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