Lombard Fire Department Responds to Garage Fire, No Injuries

Upon arrival, fire companies found a single car detached garage on fire. The fire spread to combustibles in the garage but was rapidly extinguished and there was no damage to the residence, according to Battalion Chief, Chuck Ralis. Damage to the garage and its contents was estimated at $12,000. There were no injuries.

Battalion Chief, Ron Rakosnik, lead fire investigator on the scene, stated that the fire was caused by spontaneous combustion of rags and towels that the homeowners used to strip wooden doors. “The bags of rags and towels with the stripping chemicals on it were stacked up in the garage and heated up, which caused the spontaneous combustion,” Rakosnik said.

“When involved in do-it-yourself projects at home, please read how to properly dispose of items that come in contact with any chemicals used,” Rakosnik advised. “Wood stains that are oil based can spontaneously catch fire in the proper conditions,” he added.

Mutual aid was dispatched to the fire but was called off before arrival.