3-Alarm House Fire Likely Caused by Oily Rags, Newton Fire Chief Says

A three-alarm fire in Newton, Massachusetts this week was most likely caused by the combustion of oily rags used during renovations on the unoccupied home, according to Newton Fire Chief Gregory J. Gentile.

The Newton Fire Department responded to 8 Central Ave. at about 11:30 Wednesday morning for reports of smoke showing from a two-and-one-half story wood framed home. They found heavy fire on the upper floors on arrival and it quickly went to three alarms. Firefighters battled the flames well into the afternoon before the fire was knocked down.

“The oils in many paints, stains, and varnishes release heat as they dry,” said Chief Gentile. “If these rags are left in a pile or in the trash, that heat can become strong enough to ignite them and other nearby items. These fires are especially dangerous because they can smolder undetected for hours before bursting into flames that spread to other combustible items.”

An investigation determined that the fire began near the top of a staircase on the second floor, where staining rags had been left in a trash bag the day before.

State Police fire investigators said they identified oily rags as the cause or a potential factor in nearly a dozen residential fires last year.