Rags blamed for Mundelein fire

Improperly stored rags may have spontaneously combusted in a Mundelein garage Monday afternoon, fire officials say.

About 3 p.m., Mundelein Public Works Department workers noticed smoke coming from the two-car detached garage on the 800 block of Countryside Highway, said Batallion Chief Matthew Carey.

Firefighters contained the fire to a garbage can in the garage. That garbage can held rags with stain on them used to refurbish wood floors, he said.

Nobody was injured. Damage was limited to smoke and heat, Carey said.

Firefighters from Libertyville and Countryside assisted. The fire remains under investigation.