Cigarette in Mulch Pile Sparks Maryland Restaurant Fire

LAUREL, Md. (AP) -- A restaurant was severely damaged by a fire Monday after employees and customers delayed reporting it and tried to fight the flames themselves, authorities said.

The fire at the Louisiana Bar and Grille on Route 1 was started when someone tossed a cigarette into a mulch pile outside the building, Prince George's County Fire and Emergency Medical Services spokesman Mark Brady said.

By the time firefighters from Prince George's, Anne Arundel and Howard counties arrived, the walls and roof were burning and the fire had gone to two alarms. It took more than 60 firefighters about 20 minutes to bring the flames under control. Damage is estimated at $350,000 and the building will not be open any time soon, Brady said.

No one was injured.

It is important to call 911 at the first sign of any fire, no matter how small it may seem, Brady said.