Photo via International Association of Firefighters Local 36

The massive fire that destroyed Frager’s Hardware on Capitol Hill earlier this month may have been started by a cigarette butt, law enforcement officials told the Washington Post.

Officials believe the fire was accidental, and they say they’ve interviewed a 23-year-old employee who was seen on surveillance video taking a smoking break 30 to 40 minutes before the fire was first reported at about 6:30 p.m. on June 5.

The alley, which sits between the Frager’s complex and a neighboring catering business, was used to store wooden beams, bags of cement and a host of other supplies for the paint and hardware shops. A jumble of wires and extension cords initially piqued the interest of investigators, but the probe soon narrowed to a two-gallon bucket used by employees on cigarette breaks, the two sources said. That plastic bucket has now been identified as the fire’s point of origin.

It seems a tad bit crazy that a cigarette butt could have started such a massive blaze. But officials told the Post that the fire in the bucket may have been fueled a commercial fan blowing through the alley, as well as windy conditions.

The four-alarm fire gutted the 93-year-old store, owned by John Weintraub for the past few decades. Weintraub told the Post he had not been told about the cause of the fire from officials.

Frager’s has set up a temporary location at Eastern Market, which is open seven days a week. Weintraub, who has received public support from Mayor Vincent Gray, Councilmember Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6) and members of the Capitol Hill Community, has pledged to rebuild the store.

A message left for D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services spokesman Lon Walls has not been returned.