GRAFTON, Mass. — A fire that broke out at the State Police Museum was caused by the spontaneous combustion of oily rags, officials said Monday.
The fire was reported Saturday night and destroyed a conference room on the second floor.
According to the Fire Marshal, workers had been refinishing wooden molding in the conference room before the fire started. The sawdust and stain-soiled rags were placed in a plastic trash bag before the workers left.
Galleries housing artifacts and exhibits suffered some smoke and water damage, but can still be viewed by the public.
“As flammable oil from rags dry out, they produce heat," the Fire Marshal said. “When balled up with combustibles like sawdust, a fire can quickly start."