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MaKeinzy Backley

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Lowe’s Home Improvement in Wilkes-Barre gives back to the community

<p>PLYMOUTH &#8212; Fire officials believe a cigarette dropped on a mattress caused a late-night fire Thursday in a double-block residence.</p><p>Borough fire Chief Robert Meyers on Friday said a man trespassing at 159 Willow St. is believed to have caused the fire. Police removed the man, whoose name has not been released, from the residence and are likely to charge him in the incident.</p><p>The address is condemned, has been condemned multiple times and is the location of recurring problems for the department, as well as for police and emergency medical personnel, Meyers said.</p><p>He said the the other side of the structure is not condemned and a family living there was evacuated, but allowed later to return home. No injuries were reported.</p><p>Borough firefighters, assisted by crews from Hanover Township, remained on scene for about two hours. Crews were dispatched to the blaze at about 11:30 p.m.</p><p>Meyers said fire damage was contained to a single room. Smoke damaged the upstairs while the residence sustained water damage throughout.</p><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By James O&#8217;Malley</p><p>jomalley@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach James O&#8217;Malley at 570-991-6390 or on Twitter @TL_omalley.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Cigarette believed to be cause of fire in Plymouth