Mixture of sawdust and oil ignites Rockport cabinetry shop fire
A small fire in the woodworking shop at Phi Home Designs in Rockport began in a bucket of sawdust in a closet. (Photo by Lynda Clancy)
A small fire in the woodworking shop at Phi Home Designs in Rockport began in a bucket of sawdust in a closet. (Photo by Lynda Clancy)
ROCKPORT — A Saturday morning fire at Phi Home Designs at 446 West Street (Route 90) in Rockport was caused by furniture finishing oils mixing with sawdust in plastic bins, and then igniting.
Rockport's Fire Department responded to the business at approximately 9 a.m. Jan. 12 to find light smoke filling the woodworking shop.
"We located the fire in the closet that contained finishing and staining products," said Rockport Fire Chief Bruce Woodward. "There was a small box of sawdust that probably had some sort of finishing oils that spontaneously combusted."
The sawdust was contained in a plastic drywall bucket and a plastic trash can.
"We removed the burning material from the building and put it out," he said.
Rockport's fire department responded with 11 members, two pumper trucks and a rescue vehicle.
"The fire alarm system did exactly what it is supposed to do," said Woodward. "It notified the alarm company and we responded."
Firefighters arrived before the sprinkler system activated and spent a little more than an hour extinguishing the fire and ventilating the building.
The Phi Home Designs building was constructed last year and the owner is Rue Ouest LLC.
Event Date
Address
446 West Street
Rockport, ME 04856
United States
