MILFORD — Strolling along Main Street in Milford’s downtown business district, one can still whiff an ugly reminder of the Oct. 8 early morning fire that scuttled one business and closed two others to smoke and water damage.

It could have been much uglier, but for a chance wee-hour stroll by nearby residents Ben and Jane Wilson, who noticed the smoke and called 911.

Milford Fire Department arrived within scant minutes and roused upstairs tenants to safety, preventing any death or injury from the incident.

Some of the apartments above the businesses have been vacated until cleanup from the fire has been completed.

Milford Town Marshal Rich Miotto noted “some issues getting a hold of the owners or tenants” of one of the affected businesses, and has set about updating the department’s security list.

“We’ve had a security list forever but the people from California Desert never updated it with us,” Miotto said, “so when the fire department needed to get a hold of the current owner or tenant they could not.”

Miotto has been “getting out and visiting places” and is “close to finished” with the list, which contains the name, 24-hour contact number and alternate contact person for each property owner and tenant for all businesses and churches in Milford.

He invites all residents to provide their information for the list. “The information is very useful, but we recognize the privacy of individuals,” said Miotto, noting any divulgence of information is purely voluntary.

To provide such information, call (574) 658-4941.

“We have been getting good cooperation” in the updating process, he said. “If any business has a change in management or something to that effect, contact us so we can make a change to the list.”

When Miotto finishes the list, “we will make sure the fire department has a list in their vehicles and on their computers and we will provide one to county dispatch.”

The probable cause of the fire was a lit cigarette from an ashtray emptied into the trash at the end of the business day.

The business was unoccupied at the time of the fire, indicating the discarded cigarette smoldered for some time before igniting the contents of the trash can.

“Fire is a living, breathing thing,” emphasized Miotto. “Never assume a cigarette butt is out.”

He urged everyone to “use common sense and be vigilant. Anytime you see something that does not look or seem right, contact the police or fire department. Better to be safe than sorry.”

Other safety tips are posted on www.redcross.org:

“Did you know that if a fire starts in your home, you may have just two minutes to escape?

“The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from fire is to identify and remove fire hazards. Sixty percent of house fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms.

“If a fire occurs in your home, get out, stay out and call for help.

“Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.

“Test smoke alarms once a month; if they’re not working, change the batteries.

“Talk with all household members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.”