Spontaneous combustion caused fire at Dimitri's Gyros on East Wash
Spontaneous combustion of cotton towels used
in cleaning is being blamed for the fire last night which caused
significant damage to Dimitri's Gyros, 3502 E. Washington
Ave.
Madison Fire Department public information officer Lori Wirth said investigators found the towels, which contained grease and oil from cleaning the restaurant, washed and dried and put in a large bag. The warm towels are thought to have still had some oily residue on them, and they likely started smoldering in the laundry bag in which they were stored.
A passerby discovered the fire at about 10 p.m., and firefighters from Engine Company 8 found smoke coming from the eaves and the ventilation system around the building when they arrived.
No fire was immediately visible, Wirth said, and all windows were blackened from the smoke making it impossible for firefighters to see into the building. When firefighters forced entry through a rear door on the west side of the building they were met with heavy flames in the restaurant kitchen, Wirth said.
Fire damage was contained to the kitchen but there was smoke damage throughout the restaurant, and the damage estimate was put at $150,000.
The restaurant was closed for the night at the time of the fire, and there was no one in the building and no injuries, Wirth said.
