Outside Fire Traced to Bag of Sawdust

A neighbor reported a fire on the back porch of a home on East Gorham Street. Medic 8 arrived first on scene and reported a bag of saw dust on fire. 

M8 attacked the fire with a water can, and Engine 3 followed with additional cans of water to control and extinguish the fire. The home was checked for fire extension. Firefighters confirmed fire had not spread into the home. 

The bag was found to contain sawdust and sanding discs. Firefighters did not locate an ignition source, but spontaneous ignition of sawdust cannot be ruled out as a possible cause. Saw dust and particles of sanded floor varnish, packed into a bag, could spontaneously combust under the proper conditions.

Damage was limited to the immediate area outside the home where the fire occurred.