Oily rags caused the home fire in Lake Forest Park Thursday

Oily rags combusted and caught structure on fire
Photo courtesy Northshore Fire

Oily rags were the cause of the structure fire in Lake Forest Park on Thursday. The home was undergoing renovations, and the fire appears to have been started by the spontaneous ignition of rags saturated with an oil base wood finish.

Photo courtesy Northshore Fire

It is estimated that damage to the home, located in the 3900 block of NE 157th, is around $5,000. The home is located in an area of difficult access and was vulnerable to fire due to the ongoing renovations. Without the quick actions of the home owner, who put out the fire with a garden hose after calling 911, the entire structure would have likely been lost.