A carelessly discarded cigarette has been blamed for a fire in Schuylkill County that took the life of an elderly man.

State police fire marshal John F. Burns, of the Frackville barracks, identified the victim as Russell J. Harley Sr., 89. The fire was reported on Jan. 25 at 1881 Fair Road, in Summit Station, Wayne Township. The fire gutted an apartment claiming Harley’s life. Damages were estimated at $50,000. There were no other injuries reported.

Burns said, “a carelessly discarded cigarette or stray ash from smoking materials” was the most likely cause of the fire.