A discarded cigarette was blamed for a fire Friday afternoon that destroyed a home and taxed firefighters in the heat.

Fire crews from seven departments responded to the blaze at 9124 Wayne Trace Road, which was reported at 5:28 p.m., according to the Preble County emergency dispatch center.

No one was injured, but the home was destroyed, and the damage was estimated at $165,000, not including the contents of the home, said West Elkton Fire Chief Michael Roberts.

Roberts said the fire started after the homeowner flipped a cigarette into the yard. The fire spread to the home and reached the attic, where it quickly grew out of control, he said.

Because of the extremely dry conditions, Roberts advised that people need to be careful about where they discard cigarettes.

"As dry as it's been, don't put cigarettes out in the yard or along the road. It's dry. It's the worst I've ever seen it," he said.

Fifty-five firefighters rotated in as teams every 10 minutes to help extinguish the flames.