Dirty rags, paint brushes sparked fire in Algonquin

A small fire at a commercial building in Algonquin late Wednesday was caused by the combustion of dirty rags and paint brushes, fire officials said.

Arriving at 11:24 p.m. at 427 S. Harrison St., crews found smoke showing from the light industrial-type building and a fire in a paint and staining room, according to a news release from the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District.

Battalion Chief John Knebl said soiled rags and paint brushes in a plastic container spontaneously caught fire.

The fire, which caused less than $500 damage, was extinguished by 11:40 p.m., and crews remained on the scene until 1:30 a.m. to investigate, officials said.

Nobody was injured, and the building is still habitable.