SKOWHEGAN -- A discarded cigarette is believed to have been the accidental cause of a Tuesday night fire that heavily damaged the Kentucky Fried Chicken-Taco Bell restaurant on Madison Avenue.

Fire Chief Winton (Tom) Keene said Thursday that fire officials believe the discarded, still-lit cigarette ignited the bark mulch outside the back of the building.

"It smoldered, got into the siding, burned its way into the building and then it spread," Keene said.

He said back of the building is where employees go to smoke.