A southern Maine fire department didn’t have to go far to put out the most recent blaze.
While Biddeford firefighters were sleeping, one of them awoke to the smell of smoke shortly after 3 a.m. on February 13.
He traced the smoke to a stainless bin containing recently laundered kitchen towels.
Fireman put out their own fire with an extinguisher and water from the kitchen sink.
Biddeford Fire Chief Larry Best says the blaze caused heavy smoke damage to the main Alfred Street fire station.
He said he believes that oils that had accumulated in the rags, despite their having been washed, spontaneously heated up and triggered the blaze.
City officials are working with their insurer to cover the smoke damage, described as having damaged ceiling tiles and part of the heating system.
