Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District responded to a report of a possible house fire at 1141 43rd Ave. at 4:06 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24. According to a SHFAD report, firefighters arrived to find the homeowner using a garden hose to douse the remnants of a fire that started in a disposal receptacle and had begun to burn the outside of the home. He stated that he had gone outside and found his garbage and yard debris receptacles engulfed in flames up against his house. He grabbed his garden hose and began to spray water on the fire as someone else called 9-11. The fire damaged the exterior cement siding and a window on the west side of the residence. The fire is believed to have started from some rags and cardboard in the receptacle that were used to clean up deck stain earlier in the day. This event serves as a reminder that care should be taken when disposing of rags used to clean wood stains and treatment oils. With linseed oil and other oils used to finish wood, including some exterior deck sealers and wood stains, heat is generated during the drying process. This heat is a result of oxidation and will cause spontaneous combustion. Spontaneous combustion of oil soaked rags can be avoided by following these steps: (1) Immerse item(s) in water in a metal container and seal with an air-tight lid; (2) After soaking in water, allow item(s) to fully air dry by laying flat on a non-combustible surface. (Be sure to air dry safely away from any buildings or other combustible items.) (3) Once air dried, the item can be safely stored or discarded.
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