Oily rags in a trashcan combusted in a Temple Road home in New Ipswich Sunday, causing smoke and char damage. But due to quick action by the homeowner the fire did not spread to the structure of the house.
Fire crews responded to 62 Temple Road at about 5:18 p.m., on Sunday, after a homeowner found his trashcan on fire, Fire Chief Meredith Lund said in an interview Monday.
“It was lucky that when he saw it, he had the forethought to close the door,” Lund said. “If he hadn’t discovered it quickly, or had left the door open and there was additional airflow, it probably would have spread to the rest of the structure. We were pretty lucky.”
The fire was likely started by the combustion of some rags in the bin, which were discarded after being used to stain flooring.
Combustion is possible when rags are disposed of after being used on oil-based paints or stains, teak and linseed oils, varnish, polyurethane, paint thinners, or other similar oils or stains. The substances release heat as they oxidize, and if the rags are together in a pile, the heat has no way to escape and can ignite the oil.
To prevent these fires, dry your rags separately, spread out on the ground or on a rack, away from your home, garage or workshop, and do not leave them together in a pile or in your trashcan before they are completely dry and stiff.
The New Ipswich Fire Department was assisted by the Greenville, Jaffrey and Ashby Fire Departments. The New Ipswich Police Department assisted in directing traffic.
Crews were able to clear the scene by 8 p.m.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.