“The watchman rang the fire alarm and then ran upstairs. The varnish room was full of smoke. Flames were bursting out of the top of a large metal can, into which the workmen threw the sweepings and dirty rags that had been used in polishing the furniture. The watchman soon put the fire out with the water in the fire buckets.
“When the firemen arrived, they said that the fire had started itself. The can had been left uncovered, and the rubbish and rags had caught fire from their own heat. I never heard of such a thing, did you?”
“Yes, I have often heard of such things,” said Mrs. Homer. “I am glad that nothing serious happened. It is very fortunate that the factory did not burn down. I suppose those rags were soaked with varnish and turpentine. I should think that the men would have known of the danger of their starting a fire.”
“Joe’s father said that the men had orders to keep the can covered and to remove it from the hot room at night. But I don’t see how oily rags could start a fire alone, do you, mother?”
“They certainly could do so,” Mrs. Homer replied. “You remember the fire in the Park Garage, don’t you?”
“I think I do. That was the fire that burned up so many automobiles, wasn’t it?”
“Yes; I heard afterwards that that fire was caused in the same way. A lot of oily rags which the workmen had used were thrown into a corner. During the night when the garage was closed, they became very hot and burst into a flame.”
“Without a match or light?” exclaimed Walter.
“Yes, without a match or a spark of light. When things are set on fire by the heat within themselves, it is said that the fire was caused by spontaneous combustion.”
“Oh, yes; that is the word Joe used. Then it is true. Lots of us boys didn’t believe that such things could happen.”