AUGUSTA — Fire officials are warning building owners about landscaping techniques after a fire damaged a Community Drive hotel Thursday.

Augusta Fire Battalion Chief Daniel Guimond said the fire at the Best Western at 110 Community Drive ignited around 3 p.m. and spread up the building when someone apparently threw a spent cigarette onto bark mulch. The fire spread from the mulch to the outside of the building before it was extinguished by firefighters. Guimond estimated the blaze caused several hundred dollars worth of damage.

Firefighters doused two other mulch fires Thursday before being called to Community Drive.

“It’s been like that all week,” Guimond said. “Usually it’s someone tossing a cigarette.”

Guimond urged smokers to dispose of their butts well clear of mulch, but he also cautioned business and home owners to leave a space of at least a few feet between the mulch and buildings. Guimond said owners should use non-flammable items, such as crushed rock, to decorate near the buildings.

“Don’t put it next to your buildings so we don’t have to put the buildings out,” Guimond said.

AUGUSTA

WEDNESDAY

At 4:06 p.m., there was a report of disorderly conduct on Stephen King Drive.

4:22 p.m., injury was reported after a crash on Eastern Avenue.

6:02 p.m., there was an accident on Eastern Avenue.

7:09 p.m., there was a disturbance on Capitol Street.

7:27 p.m., there was a report of a burglary on Cushnoc Drive.

8:34 p.m., shoplifting was reported at a Western Avenue store.

THURSDAY

At 1:57 a.m., there was a disturbance on Waldo Street.

8:24 a.m., firefighters responded to an alarm at the Edmund S. Muskie Building on Western Avenue.

9:55 a.m., there was suspicious activity on Townsend Street.

10:35 a.m., there was a hit-and-run accident on Ellis Avenue.

11:31 a.m., theft was reported on Oak Street.

12:29 p.m., there was as report of mischief on Washington Street.

1:21 p.m., a domestic disturbance was reported on Noyes Street.

1:38 p.m., there was an accident on Cedar Street.

2:10 p.m., there was a disturbance on Water Street.

2:46 p.m., fraud was reported at a Whitten Road store.

3:13 p.m., there was a report of mischief on Stone Street.

4:02 p.m., shoplifting was reported at a Whitten Road store.

4:39 p.m., there was an accident at the intersection of Memorial Circle and Memorial Drive.

4:52 p.m., theft was reported on Court Street.

BELGRADE

WEDNESDAY

At 4:08 p.m., there was suspicious activity on Knowles Road.

THURSDAY

At 8:11 a.m., there was a 911 hang-up at a Main Street store.

FARMINGDALE

WEDNESDAY

At 11:03 a.m., there was a report of sex offenses on Outlet Road.

GARDINER

WEDNESDAY

At 3:07 p.m., theft was reported at a Water Street store.

6:36 p.m., a 30-year-old Gardiner woman was charged with theft by police responding to a complaint at a Spring Street store.

7:06 p.m., there was suspicious activity at an unspecified location.

THURSDAY

At 12:50 a.m., there was a 911 hang-up at a Maine Avenue store.

1:10 a.m., a burglar alarm sounded at an Enterprise Avenue business.

5:52 a.m., a burglar alarm sounded on Water Street.

LITCHFIELD

WEDNESDAY

At 9:26 a.m., a burglar alarm sounded on Buker Road.

10:56 a.m., there was a report of mischief on Patten Woods Lane.

1:36 p.m., there was suspicious activity on Hallowell Road.

9:16 p.m., there was a report of a suicidal person.

MANCHESTER

WEDNESDAY

At 10:32 a.m., there was an accident on Myrtle Street.

11:02 p.m., there was a 911 hang-up on Ryan Drive.

THURSDAY

At 6:32 p.m., a burglar alarm sounded on Bowdoin Street.

MOUNT VERNON

WEDNESDAY

At 12:10 p.m., there was a report of a protection order violation on Pond Road.

12:36 p.m., a burglar alarm sounded at the Town Office on North Road.

10:02 p.m., there was suspicious activity on Bean Road.

SIDNEY

THURSDAY

At 8:59 a.m., there was suspicious activity on Pond Road.

WAYNE

WEDNESDAY

At 1:52 p.m., there was suspicious activity on Strickland Ferry Road.

WINTHROP

WEDNESDAY

At 6:59 p.m., an alarm sounded on Homewood Lane.

11:48 p.m., there was a report of disorderly conduct on Union Street.

THURSDAY

At 10:49 a.m., there was a problem with an animal on Lakeshore Drive.