A four-alarm fire that caused $1 million in damage to two brownstones in South Boston began when rags soaked with a "polyurethane" used for a flooring renovation spontaneously combusted, according to The Boston Globe.
“A contractor had stored oily rags in plastic trash bags on the first floor of the building at 797 E. Fourth St. in an unventilated area, which ignited, causing the fire,” Boston Fire Department spokesman Steve MacDonald told The Globe.
A contractor was in the process of completing renovations on one of the buildings, he said. The fire started at 10:25 p.m., and flames eventually shot up through the roof.
Improperly discarded rags used to stain are known to spontaneously combust. HF blogger Wayne Lee shared a few tips for preventing fires on the job site in this video blog.
