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A fire in a Gaithersburg condominium building that left 12 families homeless Tuesday afternoon was caused by improperly discarded smoking materials, according to fire officials.

The blaze started at the rear exterior of the three-story building on Palmspring Drive in the Muddy Branch area, according to Capt. Oscar Garcia, a spokesman for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue.

Garcia said the fire was caused by a lit cigarette or other smoking materials. The fire was ruled accidental.

Damage to the 12-condominium building is estimated at $1.6 million, Garcia said.

The condos in the building were valued at either $160,000 or $185,000 each in January 2009, according to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.

Fire and rescue crews arrived about 2:30 p.m. at the complex. The blaze was reported after a passerby spotted smoke in the area.

No one was injured in the fire, and everyone inside the building was safely evacuated.

Thirteen adults and five children who lived in the building received aid from American Red Cross to relocate for the night.

Residents were allowed in the building Tuesday night to retrieve some belongings and can go back today for more. The building cannot be reoccupied until it has passed a structural building inspection and utilities are reconnected, Garcia said.

Two top floor units were significantly damaged by the fire, and others had smoke and water damage.

A firefighter at the scene who was slightly injured by falling debris was treated Tuesday, Garcia said.

dgaines@gazette.net