Hot Lawnmower Sparks North Austin Fire In Shed

NORTH AUSTIN, TX — A North Austin fire on Sunday yields a cautionary tale on the safe storage of lawnmowers.

Austin Fire Department crews were called to Stobaugh Street, near the intersection with North Lamar Boulevard, at around 9:30 a.m. A fire in the garage of the home was sparked by the heat emanating from the lawn mower that was placed too close to combustible items, fire officials said.

The fire destroyed a shed and damaged a car, according to fire officials. No injuries were reported.

We often take for granted the storage of a lawnmower right after cutting grass, but the website Hunker.com issues warnings to residents: "Storing a lawn mower in the basement with gas in its tank can be potentially dangerous. While a mower's fuel tank should limit the amount of fumes and fuel that leaks when the mower is stored, even a small amount of gasoline liquid can produce enough fumes to make an enclosed space like a basement uncomfortable to endure. Additionally, gas fumes can potentially be hazardous to your health and, in sufficient quantity, can be explosive."

Click here for lawnmower storage safety tips.