Cigarettes and other smoking materials remain among the leading causes of preventable fire-related fatalities in Victoria, according to data from the state’s fire agencies.
Smoking materials accounted for almost one in four (24%) of fire related fatalities in 2025, where the cause of fire was able to be identified.
Since 1 January 2026, CFA and FRV have responded to a combined 252 residential fires involving abandoned or discarded materials, including cigarettes and cigars.
CFA and FRV are urging people to avoid smoking indoors, never smoke in bed and ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished before being discarded.
The warning follows two recent significant house fires in regional Victoria, in Benalla and Ararat, with smoking materials confirmed as the cause of the Benalla fire and identified as a possible cause in Ararat.
At the Benalla fire, investigators determined the fire started externally after a cigarette butt that had not been fully extinguished was placed in a large tin being used as an ashtray. The tin had accumulated cigarette butts and other smoking materials, which ignited and allowed the fire to spread.
While at the Ararat fire, smoking indoors was identified as a possible ignition factor. Investigators also identified a heater positioned close to combustible materials as another possible cause. Electrical appliances and heaters each accounted for nine per cent of preventable fire fatalities in 2025.
No working smoke alarms were observed inside either home.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan AFSM said smoking in bed presented a particularly serious risk.
“Falling asleep with a lit cigarette can quickly ignite bedding, clothing, furniture and other soft materials, allowing a fire to spread rapidly,” Jason said.
“While smoking outside is the safest option you must still make sure the cigarette is fully extinguished in a heavy glass or metal ashtray before you walk away.”
FRV Deputy Commissioner Community Safety and Operational Training Joshua Fischer said homes where smoking occurred should have additional smoke alarms.
“It is a legal requirement that all homes in Victoria must have a working smoke alarm. However, given the significant additional fire safety risk that smoking presents, every room where smoking takes place should have its own smoke alarm,” said DC Fischer.
“We recommend smoke alarms connected to mains power with a 10-year battery back-up, or alarms powered by a 10-year long-life battery.
“When more than one smoke alarm is installed in a home, they should be interconnected so that when any alarm activates, all smoke alarms will sound.”
He added: “Having working smoke alarms in your home gives you the best chance of escaping safely if a fire takes hold.”
Victoria’s fire services recommend:
- Smoke outside the home wherever possible.
- Never smoke in bed.
- Do not smoke when tired or affected by alcohol, drugs or medications that may cause drowsiness.
- Never leave a lit cigarette unattended.
- Fully extinguish cigarettes in a heavy, high-sided glass or metal ashtray.
- Pour water over cigarette ash and butts before disposing of them.
- Never discard cigarette butts in rubbish bins, garden beds, pot plants or onto the ground.
- Keep heaters at least one metre away from bedding, curtains, furniture, clothing and other materials that can burn.
- Keep exits and pathways clear of accumulated belongings.
- Install working smoke alarms in bedrooms, hallways and living areas, and test them monthly.
