Saturday night fire blamed on “spontaneous combustion”

Just called SFD to get an update on the Saturday night fire at a house in the 3000 block of SW Manning (map), noticed by many not because it was a big fire — the flames and smoke did not last long — but because of the location on a slope between the south end of Admiral Way and the east end of the West Seattle Bridge. Spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen says it was accidental — a paint tarp with primer on it “spontaneously combusted” in the basement (as noted in our original report, neighbors had mentioned ongoing remodeling work at the house). SFD estimates the damage totaled $55,000. (Saturday night photo by Tony Bradley)

Christopher Boffoli August 10, 2009 (11:17 am)

That cause sounds like something that Scully and Mulder would be looking into. But a number of paints and varnishes (especially those that include drying oils, alkyd enamels and even organics like linseed oil) can generate enough heat through chemical oxidation to ignite the tarp or cloth that is saturated with them. A lot of these products have safe handling instructions on their labels which recommend saturating used rags or cloths with water after use as a precautionary measure.

Lauri Jordana August 10, 2009 (11:20 am)

This is such a sad story – and this kind of thing really *does* happen. Members of my family had just finished building their beautiful new home in Lake Forest Park (with builts-ins galore and irreplaceable Italian marble countertops) when contractors left a ragful of chemicals on the floor, and the same thing happened. They had to rebuild.

So contractors and remodelers – beware! Clean up your chemicals and your rags before leaving the jobsite. Homeowners – make sure nothing’s left hanging around that can become combustible.

coffee August 10, 2009 (2:20 pm)

this happened to neighbors of mine when I lived in another state. They had left rags outside to “air” out and poof, the whole side of their house went up in flames in less than 5 minutes. So, beware when you are leaving rags with chemicals out anywhere. It only takes a very short time for these to combust!

living in West Seattle since 1985 August 11, 2009 (9:21 pm)

That is so sad! It does not happen often but when it does its tragic! At the college I went to, the paint department is very careful with all the oil based waist from their painting classes. There are rag services to get them cleaned up. You have to keep a sharp eye out, even with small projects or a big remodel jobs. Varnish and other oil paint rags should be properly stored/ disposed of ASAP. AND above all, NO Candles near paint!

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