Easy out

TONY BROWN/DAILY FORUM
On deck

Maryville Public Safety firefighters responded to an alarm called in at approximately 3:20 p.m. Tuesday in connection with a small blaze in the 800 block of South Laura.

A crew arrived at the scene to find a thin stream of smoke rising from beneath the exterior rear deck of an empty residence located at the dead end of the street.

Using a single hose, a firefighter took mere seconds to douse the smoldering flame. Damage was minimal, and there were no injuries.

Fire division Capt. Phil Rickabaugh speculated the fire may have been started by a carelessly dropped cigarette.