Cigarette butt confirmed as cause of Benalla house fire

Investigators determined the fire started outside the home after a cigarette butt, which had not been fully extinguished, was placed in a large tin being used as an ashtray.

The tin had accumulated cigarette butts and other smoking materials, which ignited and allowed the fire to spread.

Investigators confirmed there were no working smoke alarms inside the home.

Smoking materials accounted for almost one in four (24 per cent) of fire-related fatalities in 2025, where the cause of fire was able to be identified.

Since January 1, the CFA and FRV have responded to a combined 252 residential fires involving abandoned or discarded materials, including cigarettes and cigars.

The CFA and FRV are urging people to avoid smoking indoors, never smoke in bed and ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished before being discarded.

CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said smoking in bed was a particularly serious risk.

“Falling asleep with a lit cigarette can quickly ignite bedding, clothing, furniture and other soft materials, allowing a fire to spread rapidly,” he said.

“While smoking outside is the safest option, you must still make sure the cigarette is fully extinguished in a heavy glass or metal ashtray before you walk away.”

FRV deputy commissioner community safety and operational training Joshua Fischer said homes where smoking occurred should have additional smoke alarms.

“It is a legal requirement that all homes in Victoria must have a working smoke alarm,” he said.

However, given the significant additional fire safety risk that smoking presents, every room where smoking takes place should have its own smoke alarm.

“We recommend smoke alarms connected to mains power with a 10-year battery back-up, or alarms powered by a 10-year long-life battery,” Mr FIscher said.

“When more than one smoke alarm is installed in a home, they should be interconnected so that when any alarm activates, all smoke alarms will sound.

“Having working smoke alarms in your home gives you the best chance of escaping safely if a fire takes hold.”