Fire at Shop Blamed on Oil-Soaked Rags
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County fire investigators have determined that a fire that gutted a Simi Valley business and damaged a second was caused after rags soaked in linseed oil spontaneously ignited.
The 90-minute blaze, which started shortly before 5 a.m. Wednesday in a business in a complex at 580 Easy St., burned fast and hot, destroying Randy Miller’s RFP Welding shop as well as a unit containing several of his vintage cars.
Fire officials estimated the loss at about $500,000.
According to county Fire Department spokeswoman Sandi Wells, the rags were improperly stored and, after sitting for a long period, ignited, with flames spreading quickly throughout the 8,000-square-foot shop as they fed on chemicals and combustible welding gas.
No injuries were reported.
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