Fire investigators believe a cigarette tossed into dry mulch sparked Monday’s fire at the Abbotts Run apartment complex.

Wilmington’s fire prevention team is considering changing city laws to ban pine straw and mulch from use next to apartments and other large buildings.

“We don’t want the combustible material near the building. Once it hits non-combustile material it should stop and not get to the building,” said Frank Blackley of the Wilmington Fire Department.

Mulch fires can become common, especially during times of drought, for a variety of different reasons. Mulch in areas with litter are especially vulnerable as cigarettes or pieces of dried glass can catch the sun and smolder.