Biddeford firefighters fight small fire at fire department

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

A few Biddeford firefighters recently found themselves fighting a small fire on the second floor of the city’s Central Station on Alfred Street.

According to Fire Chief Lawrence Best, the small fire happened in the second-floor kitchen during the early morning hours of Saturday, Feb. 7 at approximately 3:15 a.m.

No one was injured in the incident, but Best said there was extensive smoke damage as the result of the fire.

Best said he is working with the city’s insurance company and estimates that the damage could total several thousand dollars because of smoke damage to ceiling tiles and the building’s HVAC system.

The fire broke out as the result of spontaneous combustion that occurred within a stainless-steel container of dish towels and cleaning rags, Best said.

“It’s actually not that uncommon,” Best explained. “Those towels — over time –soak up lots of oils and cleaning solvents. Thankfully, they were in a stainless-steel container. Otherwise, things might have been worse.”

Best said his employees regularly wash all kitchen towels in the department’s washing machine, which Best described as a “residential-type” appliance. Those types of units generally do not exceed 130 degrees of hot water. In order to effectively remain oils and solvents that build up over time, you need water that ranges between 160 and 170 degrees, Best said.

Because the incident happened in a fire station, Best said that the State Fire Marshall’s Office was notified and conducted its own independent investigation of the incident.

Best said such incidents also require review by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).

“It’s an inconvenience, but we’re really lucky that the damage was contained and that no one was injured,” Best said.

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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

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