This morning, residents of a multi-family apartment complex on Lena Way were prompted to evacuate as a fire erupted. The Mountain View Fire Department received a 9-1-1 call at 6:14 a.m. reporting smoke billowing from the building, according to Mountain View City's official news release.
Units were dispatched immediately and arrived by 6:21 a.m., finding the source of the fire to be a maintenance cart in the building's hallway; the firefighters were prompt in extinguishing the fire with a water extinguisher, after which they removed the smoldering remnants and cleared the residual smoke. Mountain View Police Department temporarily closed down Lena Way to facilitate the firefighting efforts while helping to maintain safety.
Post-extinguishment procedures included firefighters using thermal imaging cameras to ensure the fire had not spread behind the walls. No injuries were reported, and the facility was returned to maintenance staff once the firefighters confirmed the area was secure. The city's news release stated the fire's cause was unattended rags soaked in a wood stain on the cart that spontaneously combusted due to heat build-up.
Spontaneous combustion is a known hazard with oily rags, and the National Fire Protection Association emphasizes precautions such as drying rags outdoors, storing them in metal containers filled with water and detergent, and keeping them away from heat sources. More tips on preventing such fires can be found on the NFPA website, with safety being a paramount concern highlighted in the aftermath of such incidents, as the Mountain View City news release indicated.
