Cigarette fire destroys apartment in Bürs

A woman was taken to hospital after a fire destroyed her apartment in a multi-unit building in Bürs overnight, ORF reported. She is believed to have fallen asleep on the sofa while holding a cigarette and was taken to Bludenz State Hospital with suspected smoke inhalation.

Police were alerted shortly after midnight when dense smoke was seen coming from an apartment on the first floor. Residents of neighbouring apartments were brought outside as a precaution.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze while wearing breathing apparatus. Police said the fire started in the living room of the two-room apartment, which was completely destroyed and is currently uninhabitable.

The resident said she woke up because of the smoke or the fire alarm. A neighbour helped her leave the apartment.

The fire was extinguished shortly before 1 a.m. After the building was ventilated, the other residents were initially allowed to return to their apartments.