The El Paso fire department responded to two separate fires at homes on Saturday night.

Just before 9 p.m. crews responded to a home on Winter Drive off Stanton Street in west El Paso.

A fire broke out in the attic space of a home and crews were able to extinguish it within minutes.  Investigators said a 3-inch cement pipe that served as the chimney flue, deteriorated and fell over catching the insulation and framing of the attic on fire.

According to the homeowner, the chimney had been on for over 12 hours making the pipe extremely hot.

The home owner was able to evacuate the house and there were no reported injuries. Damages are estimated at $10,000.

Fire crews then responded to a structure fire on Tamapa Ave. in central El Paso just before 11 p.m.

Upon arrival fire crews saw smoke and flames coming from a single story structure behind the home that was being used for storage. The structure also had two rooms and a hallway.

Fire crews placed fire under control within ten minutes and contained the fire to one of the rooms. No injuries were reported and the structure sustained smoke damage throughout but the main house was not affected. Damages are estimated at $15,000.

An investigator determined this fire was caused by a smoker’s carelessness after a cigarette ember fell into a cardboard box catching the box on fire and then spreading.

The El Paso Fire Department would like you to keep the following safety tips in mind:

            If you smoke, smoke outside.

            Use deep, wide ashtrays on a sturdy table.

            Before you throw out butts and ashes, make sure they are out, and dousing in water or sand is the best way to do that.

            Check under furniture cushions and in other places people smoke for cigarette butts that may have fallen out of sight.

            To prevent a deadly cigarette fire, you have to be alert. You won't be if you are sleepy, have been drinking, or have taken medicine or other drugs.

For additional fire safety tips, please contact the El Paso Fire Department's Fire Prevention Division at (915) 485-5699.

Also, The El Paso Fire Department would like to remind the citizens of El Paso to have heating equipment and chimneys inspected and cleaned every year. It is important for homeowners, occupants and a landlord to know what type of chimney is inside their home and if there are any possible limitations or maintenance that may be required.