The cause of a fire which destroyed three homes in Saskatoon’s Montgomery Place neighbourhood was soiled rags used for staining, which spontaneously combusted.
The rags had been placed in an open container in an attached garage at 1221 Crescent Blvd., a property that was in its final stages of construction.
Just after 12:15 p.m. Sunday, multiple calls came into the Saskatoon Fire Department of a home on fire in Montgomery Place.
Crews arrived to find two homes under construction, two pickup trucks, and several trees engulfed in flames.
The blaze spread to a third home before it was brought under control.
Damage is estimated to be in excess of $2 million.
No injuries were reported.
The fire department recommends product-covered rags be left outside, away from any combustible materials, and allowed adequate time to dry before disposal.