'Oily Rags' Combustion Blamed For Newtonville Fire On Wednesday

NEWTON, MA — Combustion from oily rags left piled in the trash during the renovation of a $1.5 million Newton home was "the most likely" cause of a fire Wednesday that tore through the attic and roof of the home on Central Avenue.

State Fire Marshal Jon Davine and Newton Fire Chief Gregory Gentile issued the results of the preliminary investigation on Thursday that indicated the heat released in the rags as they dried likely led to the fire that closed roads nearby and took hours for crews to get under control.

(Also on Patch: Stubborn Newton 3-Alarm House Fire Closes Roads In Newtonville)

"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," Gentile said. "These fires are especially dangerous because they can smolder undetected for hours before bursting into flames that spread to other combustible items."

No injuries were reported in the fire in the home that was unoccupied while being renovated.

It was determined that the fire started near the top of a staircase on the second floor where staining rags had been left in the trash from the previous day.

"If you're painting, staining, or varnishing, dispose of rags and applicators safely," Davine said. "First, dry them individually outdoors. You can hang dry them or spread them out flat on the ground. Once they're dry, place them in a can filled with water and cover it with a tight-fitting lid. An old paint can work perfectly. Then drop it off at a household hazardous waste collection in
your community."

The State Fire Marshal's Office said the fire is a cautionary tale for contractors that use these rags on a regular basis to educate employees about the fire risks and that the rags should be placed in a listed oily-waste container only that is then emptied by a private contractor.

State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office identified oily rags as the cause or a potential factor in nearly a dozen residential fires last year.

Scott Souza is a Patch field editor. He can be reached at [email protected].