Spontaneous Combustion Destroys Cottage

A cottage in Eldon Township, Ontario, was destroyed by fire Monday after oil-soaked rags-used in refinishing the cottage's floors-combusted, according to an assistant fire chief who investigated to the incident. The home was empty during the fire. The incident was reported by myKawartha.com. Assistant Fire Chief Ron Raymer told the news outlet the cottage's owner had recently refinished the cottage's wood floors; fumes from the rags built up heat and then ignited. It was unclear exactly what kind of finish the homeowner used. Raymer said the incident could have been avoided had the rags been soaked in a bucket of water or left outside to dry instead of being balled up.