BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) – A fire that killed a 16-year-old boy is being blamed on a cigarette that was dropped onto a couch, city firefighters say.

Anthony Loyer was trapped on the second floor of the home on Burlington’s North Avenue.

Firefighters pulled Anthony from the building and he was taken to Fletcher Allen Health Care where he was pronounced dead, officials said.

Burlington Assistant Fire Marshall Scott Kilpatrick said residents tried to put out the fire in the couch before calling for help.

“The fire was very fast,” said Battalion Chief and Fire Marshal Terry Francis.

The nearest city fire station is just across the street from the building where the fire started.

“It’s clear it had minutes, not moments head start,” Kilpatrick said. “The delay in notification really gave the fire a head start.”

Smoke detectors did warn of the fire, but efforts to put out the fire kept everyone from getting out quickly, the Fire Marshal’s Office said.