On Aug. 5, the Belfast Fire Department responded to a reported building fire at 256 High Street, Waterfall Arts, in Belfast at approximately 3:15 p.m.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, which was confined to a small metal tray located beneath a metal worktable inside the glass blowing studio, according to the Maine Dept. of Public Safety. Damage was limited to the contents of the tray and did not spread to the remainder of the building. 

Investigators determined that the last person in the studio was a glass artist, who left the building at approximately 1:30 p.m.

At the time of the fire, both entrances to the studio were locked, and investigators found no evidence of forced entry or suspicious activity.

Evidence indicates that a piece of hot glass came into contact with a microfiber cloth located in the metal tray beneath a worktable.

The heat from the glass caused the cloth to ignite or smolder, resulting in a small fire that also involved a plastic funnel and a piece of cardboard stored nearby.

The fire is classified as accidental. There were no reported injuries.

The Fire Marshal's Office reminds anyone working with hot materials to ensure they are placed only on appropriate noncombustible surfaces and allowed to cool completely before being discarded or stored near combustible items such as cloth, paper, or plastics.

Although the fire had limited potential to spread due to its location, the fire department's quick response was commendable and helped ensure the fire remained contained, the release said.