SIOUX CITY FIRE RESCUE HAS CONCLUDED THE INVESTIGATIONS OF TWO SEPARATE, UNRELATED BUSINESS FIRES THAT TOOK PLACE EARLIER THIS YEAR.
THE CAUSE IN THE JANUARY 29TH FIRE AT THE OPA TIME RESTAURANT ON HAMILTON BOULEVARD AND THE FEBRUARY 17TH PIERCE STREET LAUNDRY FIRE ARE THE SAME.
INVESTIGATORS SAY BOTH FIRES WERE CAUSED BY THE SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION OF RAGS USED TO CLEAN COOKING OIL FROM COMMERCIAL KITCHEN SURFACES.
THE DETERMINATION IS BASED ON THE ANALYSIS OF VIDEO SURVEILLANCE AND PHYSICAL EVIDENCE RECOVERED FROM THE SCENES.
FIRE OFFICIALS SAY ANY COMMERCIAL BUSINESS THAT USES COOKING OILS IS ENCOURAGED TO STORE USED, GREASE LADEN TOWELS AND FABRICS IN A CLOSED TOP, NON-COMBUSTIBLE CONTAINER UNTIL THEY CAN BE PROPERLY DISCARDED OR PROFESSIONALLY LAUNDERED.
WHEN LAUNDERED, THE FABRICS SHOULD BE PROMPTLY REMOVED FROM THE DRYER AND LAID FLAT TO COOL.
