AUBURN, Maine — A discarded cigarette is cited as the cause of a fire at a former junkyard in Auburn that consumed a pile of tires and several vehicles.
The Sun Journal said the Monday morning fire also caused several gas tanks to explode, sending a plume of thick, black smoke over South Auburn.
Fire officials said John McLean, who bought the property about five years ago, was separating the junk into piles when he tossed a cigarette butt that ignited some leaves and then spread to a tire pile.
Fire departments from Auburn, Minot and New Gloucester were battling the blaze.