Oily Rags Combust, Cause Fire at State Police Museum in Grafton

GRAFTON, MA — Spontaneously combusting oily rags caused the Saturday blaze at the Massachusetts State Police Museum & Learning Center, 44 Worcester St. in Grafton, said State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey.

Workers were at the museum on Saturday refinishing wooden molding in the second floor conference room where the fire started and the sawdust and stain soiled rags were placed in a plastic trash bag and left in the room at the end of the work day.

“As flammable oil from rags dry out, they produce heat that can start a fire like this one which is why it is important to dispose of oily rags properly,” said Ostroskey in a statement. “When balled up with combustibles like sawdust, a fire can quickly start,” he added. The building was not sprinklered.

The fire was jointly investigated by the Grafton Fire and Police Departments and State Police assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Assistance was received from the Grafton building and electrical inspectors.

“Firefighters did a superb job containing the flames to an area on the second floor. The MSP is grateful beyond words for their efforts in preserving the numerous artifacts and photographs from the department’s 151-year history that are on display,” said McKeon in a statement.

When firefighters got to the scene, heavy fire shot from the second floor window. They forced their way in, stretching a hose line up the stairs and were able to knock down the fire within minutes to keep it from spreading.

“The second floor sustained smoke and heat damage, and we covered the first floor with salvage covers to protect the artifacts,” said Grafton Fire Chief Gauthier in a statement. The fire department checked for fire extension into the walls and opened all the windows to ventilate the building and assisted the trooper from State Fire Marshal’s office with the investigation.