Updated at 1:37 p.m., Friday, August 10, 2007
Oil-soaked rag blamed as cause of Kauai house fire
Advertiser Staff
A rag soaked with teak oil is being blamed as the cause of a Kaua'i house fire last night, according to a news release issued today by the Kaua'i Fire Department.The rag was in a laundry basket when it "spontaneously combusted," county spokeswoman Mary Daubert said.
Within minutes, firefighters contained the fire reported at about 9:45 p.m. in Kalaheo. Parts of the home's exterior beams, walls and roof burned. No one was home at the Pu'u Road residence during the fire.
The fire was fully extinguished at 11:50 p.m. Fire officials estimate damage to be about $25,000.
Firefighters from the Hanapepe and Lihu'e fire stations also responded but returned to their stations when they were informed the fire was under control.
