A fire that caused about $5,000 in fire and smoke damage at an apartment at 1408 Whitson, unit #3B, was blamed on faulty Christmas tree lights at about 10:50 a.m. Friday, Dec. 30, Bay City Fire Marshal Dan Shook said.
First respondent units from Bay City Fire Department and Bay City Police Department identified smoke showing from the apartment.
The fire damage and smoke damage was contained to the single unit, the fire marshal said.
Damage to the structure and personal property was estimated to be about $5,000.
The fire cause is listed as electrical.
A 34-year-old female was in the kitchen when she noticed smoke in the living area, where her children were playing.
She immediately gathered her children and left the apartment, alerting adjacent occupants of the fire and calling 9-1-1.
A neighbor was able to identify the Christmas tree on fire and extinguish the fire.
No one was injured during the fire, Shook reported.
He reminds residents to check their Christmas lights for frayed wiring.
Replace lights that are degraded.
