Spontaneous Combustion Leads To Dumpster Fire In New Canaan: Fire Marshal

NEW CANAAN, CT — A dumpster fire reported Wednesday in New Canaan was caused by spontaneous combustion, according to the New Canaan Fire Marshal's Office.

According to a news release provided by the fire marshal's office, the spontaneous combustion, or spontaneous ignition in this case, occurred after an employee applied an oil-based stain product to a hardwood floor.

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"Upon completion of the day's work, the oily rags, sponges and/or brushes and empty containers were placed in a dumpster containing construction debris," the release reads. "Overnight, the combustible liquid stain ignited and began what ultimately became a fully involved dumpster fire."

The release did not specify where in New Canaan the incident occurred.

According to the release, spontaneous combustion most often occurs when flammable materials such as oil, stain, gasoline or other solvents come into contact with a combustible object such as a rag, towel or drop cloth.

The actual definition is "the outbreak of fire without application of heat from an external source," the release notes.

"Spontaneous combustion begins when a combustible object is heated to its ignition temperature by a slow oxidation process," the release reads. "Oxidation is the chemical reaction involving the oxygen in the air, gradually raising the inside temperature of something (like a pile of rags, sponges and paintbrushes) faster than the heat can dissipate to the point at which a fire starts."

According to the release, some common objects connected to these incidents are:

• Linseed oil and other drying oils.

• Wood stain.
• Alkyd enamel resins.

• Motor fuel.

• Oil-based products such as primer, sealer, paint, shellac, paint thinners, turpentine, mineral spirits and denatured alcohol.

The release recommends residents follow these tips "to avoid disaster":

• Do not ball up, pile, stack or fold any rags, sponges or similar that is wet due to contact with solvent-based materials.

• Do not toss used rags into a trash can or plastic bucket.

• Safely store paints and solvents; paints and solvents should not be stored near heat generating equipment.

According to the release, solvents moistened or wet cloths, rags, drop cloths, work clothes, etc., should be handled as follows:

• Immerse items in water in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid.

• After soaking in water, allow items to dry by laying flat on a non-combustible surface (i.e., driveway) away from buildings or other combustible items.

• Once dry, items can be safely discarded.