There was a bit of excitement Saturday afternoon at Oxford Township’s newest restaurant, Chardonnay Family Dining.
Apparently, a careless smoker flicked a cigarette butt into the mulch-covered flower bed just outside the eatery’s entrance.
The burning tobacco product ignited the dry mulch, causing a fire that charred the outside of the wooden building.
Oxford firefighters arrived and immediately extinguished the fire.
According to Fire Capt. Ron Jahlas, about $1,000 worth of damage was caused by the fire.
Jahlas said it was recommended to the restaurant’s owner that he place a nonflammable material in the beds such as stone.
It was also recommended that he place some receptacles for cigarette butts outside his entrance, so smokers have a proper and safe place to dispose of their waste. ? CJC