oily rags and spontaneous combustion

[lph]

Short story - yes, it happens. Be VERY careful with rags (or laundry) with a lot of oil on them, be it bike oil or anything else.

Long story: my BIL applied some furniture oil to some tables and left them out on the rooftop terrace to dry, on a hot day. He had heard of spontaneous combustion in oily rags, and put the rag in a metal bucket for safety, also outdoors. Somehow the entire shebang ignited anyway, and burnt like a torch. The fire blew in the window, and set the sprinkler system going. His (brand new, just moved in, lovely penthouse...) apartment is now soaked in water, covered in soot, everything reeks of smoke and most of his belongings are ruined. The cat made it, but inhaled some smoke. It will be 4-6 months before the place is habitable again. The water soaked all the way through to the ground, 6 floors below.

I have now learnt that oily rags should either be burnt immediately, or hung up to dry, or immersed in water. Just wanted to be sure that noone else I know has to experience this!

[Bike Writer]

Really sorry for your brother in law, sounds like a real mess and a huge inconvenience, how awful. This serves as a great reminder, thanks for the heads up.

[malkin]

Yikes!
He bombed his own house!

[thekarens]

I'm so so sorry about his place. This is an excellent reminder that we should all be more careful.

[OakLeaf]

Yikes. That's probably the first time I ever heard of that actually happening - so sorry it had to happen to him.

That, plus the environmental considerations, led me to mostly using disposable rags any more. Even shops that use a towel service, a few years back they greatly increased the amount of toxic waste the laundries can leave in the rags before washing and draining to municipal water systems.


Funny story though, when I was growing up I don't think my parents owned a single tool. I suppose they must have had a screwdriver around for switch plates and the like, but I sure don't remember seeing it. So when we would always learn in the fire safety classes in grade school never to pile up oily rags, I'd be thinking in my head, "Why would anyone have oily rags?"

Then DH and I rebuilt my Sportster engine in the garage....

[smilingcat]

I've heard of such stories but OMG!! So horrible. The good in it was only things that can be replaced were damaged or ruined and that no lives were lost. I wish speedy recovery to the kitty and your BIL's well being.

Scary!!

[lph]

Oak: Hehe. Growing up with my mother after my parents divorced when I was 10 or so, I was designated the handy one. Didn't take much but I changed lightbulbs and fuses, sawed down trees and even started using a chain saw at some point. I had no idea what I was doing, but then, neither did she. Not many tools around there either. Now we have enough to build a helicopter with.

I had heard vaguely that rags could self-combust, but I seriously didn't think they'd do anything but smoulder a little, and even then I thought other stuff like terpentine was the most dangerous. It turns out linseed oil is insanely inflammable, and oil-soaked rags cause fires every year. Luckily for my BIL this is something most people don't know much about, so his insurance company was understanding. He had made an effort, after all, and not just stuffed them in the garbage or left them lying around.

Poor guy. Not much fun having to go move in with your parents for months on end instead of a lovely new apartment, at age 40.

[malkin]

Years ago my MIL created a fire in her washing machine in this way.
At least the damage was contained.

[Artista]

LPH, I give up and have to ask - how do you know English so well? I've been curious about your excellent command of the language for quite some time, and now your use of the term "shebang" makes me think that either English is your first language or you've spent A LOT of time with Americans