Discarded Smoking Material Caused Washington D.C. Store Fire

Federal and local officials say a fire that heavily damaged a landmark Capitol Hill hardware store was caused by carelessly discard smoking material.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the fire department said Friday that the June 6 fire at Frager’s Hardware was accidental.

Authorities say the fire began in the receiving area on the 11th Street side of the building.

Plumes of smoke could be seen for miles while the fire raged, including over the dome of the U.S. Capitol.

Frager’s has been in business about 90 years. The store reopened lawn and garden portion of its business at a nearby location.