Danger, Wil Robinson

[srhaz]

Did anybody read in the last issue of The Journal about a laundry fire in NY?
They said it started in a hamper of freshly washed laundry.
A chemical reaction between a detergent and oil stains on hot clothing.
I hope I don't vend this detergent.

Anyone have insight as to what we have going here?

[pete f]

I had a similar thing happen years ago. A restraunt washed a load of towels then put them in the dryer, putting in 2 or 3 quarters, and left. I watched this on tape. About 10 mins after the dryer stopped, smoke started forming inside the drum. It got real smokey, lucky someone smelled it and caled the fire dept,, at 2 am.. anyway, the place was smoked out, the dryer drum burned up. It took some time to clean it all. It was sort of spontanius combustion, It seemed that the heat of the freshly dried rags somehow in the center of the pile started smoldering. The load only ran for about 15 mins, it was not a case of overheat.

[SudsMan]

This is the same effect that farmers have to worry about if they bail wet hay and them store it in a barn. Spontaneous combustion happens due to the containment of heat, an existing source of fuel and oxygen. POOF.... Can happen any place where there is moisture left in a fabric (or hay). If the clothes were totally dry, no problem. No build up of heat, enough to start the combustion cycle. BTW, the reason restaurant cloths are a prime candidate is because of the oils left in the cloths. Can also happen with massage parlor towels, salon towels, etc.

My quarter's worth.

[bchess]

The gentleman referring to the farmer was absolutely right. The only thing missing was that this can occur with any organic substance. As a retired firefighter I saw this or similiar situations on many occasions. Residential dryer fires are common as are ones involving sawdust (from floor finishing or a millwork shop). In theory the cool down cycle should prevent this from happening but you know "Murphy," he's always there when you least expect him.
bchess