SPOKANE, Wash. – A fire was caused by paper towels saturated with oil-based stain and rags disposed of in a large recycling bin in N. Spokane on Friday evening.
Multiple evening commuters reported seeing smoke near N Whitehouse St. and W Wabash Ave.
Firefighters found a large recycling bin fully involved with fire. They noticed the flames spreading onto the side and up into the roof of detached garage.
Fire investigators determined the fire was started by the paper towels and rags that the homeowner had applied to a fence earlier that day.
The Spokane Fire Department wants to remind everyone to check the labels of any products applied to fences and decks.
Many oil-based stain and waterproofing products present a fire danger, officials said. Tests have shown that heat produced in crumpled up rags can start a fire in less than 15 minutes.
Officials said the best way to prevent a fire is to spread rags in a single layer so the heat can dissipate while the material on the rags is allowed to cure. Then, materials can be safely disposed of, either in hazardous waste collections site or in a general landfill based on local regulations.
