Milwaukee woman ordered to pay $6,000 after cigarette sparked building fire

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee woman has been ordered to pay $6,000 after a plea deal in connection with a May fire that tore through a vacant building near 32nd and Hampton.

Flames were shooting from all four floors of the building when firefighters arrived, and part of the structure later collapsed. Investigators say 23-year-old Ellen Stevens admitted she was inside the building with three other people, smoked a cigarette on the roof and tossed it, sparking the fire.

Stevens took a plea deal after admitting her carelessness started the fire.

She said, "I want to say how sorry I am to Holy Redeemer, the firefighters, anyone who might have been touched by this accident. I'm so indescribably thankful that no one was hurt."