Box of Wood Floor Finish Rags Causes House Fire in Idaho

A cardboard box filled with rags used to apply finish to hardwood flooring is being cited as the cause of a fire that broke out on the back porch of a house in Hidden Springs, Idaho, KTVB reports.

The fire, which spread to the attic and roof of the home, was spotted by a passerby on the evening of May 4, according to the Boise Fire Department, which responded to the scene at 7:50 p.m. and got the fire under control.

The fire department said the finish rags spontaneously combusted to start the fire, which left smoke damage throughout the home. They did not release further details regarding the type of wood floor finish.

Tonight at 7:50 we responded to a fire on N Humphreys Way in a large two-story home. The fire is now under control and the cause is not yet known. pic.twitter.com/DsmHsKiSoF

— Boise Fire Dept. (@BoiseFire) May 5, 2019