AP

As of January 1, state law requires new cigarettes sold in Texas to be fire-safe.

FORT WORTH - An unidentified Fort Worth man is dead and another injured after a house fire, likely caused by a smoldering cigarette.

Improper disposal of cigarettes is a leading cause of fires but this year that might not happen as often, thanks to new fire-safe cigarettes, required by a new state law.

A wall of flames greeted firefighters at the little house on Deen Road in north Fort Worth.

It was about 4 a.m.

Only after quickly knocking down the fire did crews discover two men inside.

One believed to be in his 20s, the other in his 30s.

"Indications are they may have been asleep. They were both in a bedroom area," said Lt. Kent Worley.

One they could revive, the other they could not.

Neighbor Jose Martinez says he tried to help, but it all happened too fast.

Investigators blame discarded smoking materials.

A common cause for house fires that officials hope will soon vanish like a smoke ring.

"If you don't take a drag as soon as you normally do, they're going to go out," said Mike Black, as he puffs on a new fire-safe cigarette.

He discovered how well they work a few days ago.

"Kind of got focused on the phone call. Looked down at my cigarette and it was already out, and I was kind of wondering," he said.

A less porous wrapping causes an unattended cigarette to stop burning within a minute or two.

As of January 1, state law requires new cigarettes sold in Texas to be fire-safe, although the old kind will be around for up to a year.

If you want to make sure you're getting the new fire-safe cigarettes you can do that. It's actually marked on the package - a FSC right on the bar code.

Smokers tell us they see little difference, and in fact appreciate the change.

E-mail jdouglas@wfaa.com.