STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — Oily rags are the cause of a fire that tore through Camp Mah-Kee-Nac shortly after midnight on Friday.

 

Fire Chief Vincent J. Garofoli and State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey stated on Friday that "improper disposal of oily rags" caused the blaze that destroyed eight cabins, including one used to store pool chemicals. 

 

The overnight boys camp was apparently preparing for the summer season, said fire officials, because crews were staining wood and had stowed the rags in one of the cabins. 

 

"As these chemicals evaporate, they can generate heat and if the rags are balled up or mixed with other trash, they can spontaneously ignite," Garofoli and Ostroskey said in statement issued late Friday afternoon. 

 

A number of local departments were called for mutual aid, including Lee and Otis, and took several hours to bring under control. The state  Hazardous Materials Team was called into to monitor the fire ground for safety and the state Department of Environmental Protection oversaw the removal of the remaining chemicals by a private hazardous materials removal contractor. When pool chemicals get wet, they can cause toxic chlorine vapors, said officials. 

 

One firefighter was injured, treated and released from a local hospital. 

 

The fire reportedly destroyed a building for the camp's staff and a number of cabins, most of which were being used for storage. 

 

The fire was jointly investigated by the Stockbridge Fire and Police Departments and State Police assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

 

More information on the proper handling of oily rags can be found here.