Updated at 10:16 p.m. Wednesday

The body of a 40-year-old Edmonds man was found following a fire in the Edmonds Highlands Apartments in the 23300 block of Edmonds Way that also displaced 34 residents early Wednesday evening.

According to Snohomish County Fire District 1 spokeswoman Leslie Hynes, a resident of the apartments reported the fire at 4:50 p.m. Flames were coming out windows of both sides of the building when firefighters arrived, she said.

The identity of the victim, whose body was discovered in a second-floor unit, wasn’t released. Investigators believe the fire was started by a cigarette and suspect the victim may have fallen asleep while smoking, Hynes said.

Edmonds Highlands resident Gale Hallam said she was coming back to her apartment from the store around 5 p.m. when she saw the fire.

Hallam, who has lived in the apartments for two years, said she didn’t know the victim. “It’s just extremely sad,” she said.

Firefighters had to cut power to the 12-unit, three-story building, which is part of a 120-unit complex on Edmonds Way, Tuesday night, displacing those living there. Most were staying with friends or relatives but the American Red Cross was on the scene to provide assistance to those needing shelter, Hynes added.

The fire caused more than $550,000 damage.

Four apartments have fire damage and two others have smoke and water damage. “The 11 residents of these six units won’t be able to return to their apartments,” Hynes said.

Smoking materials are the leading cause of fire deaths in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Fire District 1 offers these tips to prevent fires caused by smoking materials:
-If you smoke, smoke outside.
-Use deep, wide ashtrays on a sturdy table.
-Before you throw out butts and ashes, make sure they are out, and dousing in water or sand is the best way to do that.
-Check under furniture cushions and in other places people smoke for cigarette butts that may have fallen out of sight.
-Never smoke in a home where oxygen is being used.
-To prevent a deadly cigarette fire, you have to be alert. Don’t smoke if you are sleepy, have been drinking, or have taken medicine or other drugs.
-Keep matches and lighters up high, out of children’s sight and reach.

Fire investigators are looking into the cause of the blaze, which was fought by 30 firefighters — mostly from Fire District 1 assisted by units from Shoreline and Lynnwood.