Cigarette ignites fire inside motel in New Castle County

NEW CASTLE CO., Del. (WPVI) -- The fire marshal has determined that a blaze inside a motel was sparked by a cigarette in the office.

The blaze broke out before 8:00 a.m. Tuesday inside the Budget Motel Lodge at 140 South DuPont Highway.

Firefighters arrived and quickly went to work on the stubborn blaze.

They were able to bring it under control within thirty minutes.

Medics treated two women, ages 40 and 27-years-of-age for smoke inhalation at the scene.

Both were taken to Christiana Hospital.

Two motel rooms, an office and laundry area were damaged. The motel damage is estimated at approximately $75,000.

The occupants of the unaffected areas were allowed to stay in their rooms.

Investigators have ruled the blaze accidental.