Lethbridge fire investigators believe Sunday’s fire in Paradise Canyon was caused by a spontaneous ignition of brushes and rags the homeowner used to stain his fence.
“They were staining their fence approx 24 hours prior to the incident,” says fire investigator Heath Wright, “they disposed of the organic oily rags in a garbage bin prior to leaving their home”.
Wright says this is not the first time they have had incidents like this caused by the organic product.
It is believed that the live enzymes in the material oxidized and ignited between the two homes and Sunday’s strong wind carried the flames to the home’s attic before blowing over to the neighbors.
Both homes are destroyed leaving over a million dollars in damages, which doesn’t count for possessions inside the home.
Neighbors said the west home was the STARS lottery home from a couple of years ago, and that the second homeowner moved in about three weeks ago.
Wright urges home owners to take precautions when using stains, especially organic ones.
“If you are using a product read the MSD sheets as well read the warning labels because on certain products especially organic products they tell you exactly how to dispose of the material”.
He says that disposing rags and brushes in a non combustible container with a lid and water is the safest method.
This spring we are seeing very dry conditions and officials say that everyone needs to take precautions to insure preventable incidents are avoided.
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