GALLIPOLIS — A recent residential fire in Gallipolis has been deemed accidental by the Division of State Fire Marshal.

According to a press release issued by Shane Cartmill, Public Information Officer with the Division of State Fire Marshal, the fire that was reported at 6:05 a.m. on April 19 at an apartment located at 88 Westwood Drive in Gallipolis has been ruled as accidental.

Reportedly, the fire originated in a second floor bedroom of apartment 47 and, while the fire was contained to the bedroom in the unit of origin, seven other units were affected.

Investigators determined that the cause of the fire to be the careless use of disposal of smoking materials.

Additionally, smoke alarms were present and did function, allowing approximately a dozen people to escape without injury.

Upon arrival, firefighters also reportedly witnessed several children escaping a neighboring apartment by crawling outside on their hands and knees. State Fire Marshal Larry Flowers applauded the action of the children and the efforts of state and local fire safety educators.

“This is a perfect example of why teaching the phrase ‘stay low and go’ to young children is important,” State Fire Marshal Larry Flowers said. “These kids certainly never expected a fire would break out in their apartment building. But when it did, they knew exactly what to do. I’m proud of them, their parents and the fire safety educators.”