Waukesha woman allegedly starts couch fire after dropping lit cigarette in cushions

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Waukesha woman allegedly started a couch fire after dropping her lit cigarette in the cushions. 

Waukesha Police were called to the 300 block of N. East Avenue around 4:46 a.m. on Friday.

According to police, a man and a woman had moved a couch to the road side so that the woman's friend could come pick it up later.

The woman was allegedly intoxicated and didn't realize that her lit cigarette fell into the couch.

The woman did not realize she had dropped her cigarette until the couch was actually on fire, police say.

According to police, the woman then tried to put the fire out with a newspaper but was unsuccessful. She then allegedly tried to smother the flame with the couch pillows.

Police arrived on scene and were able to successfully extinguish the flames with water.

Police advised the woman on the dangers of drinking and smoking.