NORWICH – Norwich Fire Department officials said a fire in the City of Norwich on Friday night was caused by an e-cigarette placed in a cupboard that spontaneously caught fire.

According to Norwich Fire Department Chief Jan Papelino, at 9:56 p.m., October 4, on Walnut Street, smoke was reportedly coming from the rear side of the home.

“When engine 4 got there they said smoke was visible from the rear of the structure,” Papelino said. “It’s just a good thing that the homeowner was still awake watching football so he was able to get out of the home safely.”

“When they got into the kitchen, the flames were rolling over their heads.”

Papelino added that within 8 minutes of arriving on scene, the fire was extinguished without injury to home occupants or firefighters.

He said fire investigators later determined that an electronic cigarette in one of the kitchen cupboards was the cause of the fire.