NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio (WJW) – The North Royalton Fire Department is spotlighting a problem that been identified as the cause for more than a dozen fires across the region – oily rags.
Fire Chief Robert Chegan said when home improvements are made using plant-based varnish or stains, the oily rags can catch fire without an open flame present.
“Basically, they’re caused by oily rags that are bunched up, put in small piles in a trash can and it causes them to self-combust,” Chegan said. “The heat cannot be released.”
Runner beating the odds says exercise slowed progression of multiple sclerosis
Chegan said two fires in two months have been started by oily rags combusting. One fire occurred on Dec. 9, 2023 at 9216 Wallings Road, a total loss. The other occurred at a local business located at 14900 York Road, an incident with minor damage.
“This isn’t one of those topics that are out there,” Chegan said. “It’s not something that we normally teach during fire prevention month. But this is a thing that my assistant chief really thought during his investigations that needed to be out there, because we’re seeing a lot of them, not only in our area, but other areas around the country.”