A Christmas Eve fire caused by improperly stored stain rags was contained before it could do irreparable damage to a family’s home, the Sun Journal reported.
The family was able to escape uninjured after the fire broke out in one of the attic rooms of their house in Lewiston, Maine, that was being renovated.
Firefighters got the call around 2 a.m. the morning of Christmas Eve and got control of the blaze in less than an hour. The fire was started by oil-based stain rags, which were improperly disposed of in a trash bag and spontaneously combusted, according to the report. As of press time, it was not clear whether the stain was being used for hardwood flooring.
The damage was contained to the room being renovated and power and heat were soon restored to the house.
“A fire on Christmas Eve is very sad to happen to anyone," Lewiston Fire Inspector Paul Ouellette told the Sun Journal. "However, this one had a happier ending. The Christmas gifts were saved—covered and protected from any damages by the firefighters.”
