UPDATE: 'Spontaneous Combustion' of Organic Fertilizer Causes Fire On Playstead Road

Initial reports stated that the second floor of 103 Playstead Rd. caught fire Thursday afternoon.

However, later clarification revealed that the blaze primarily effected the second floor’s porch. The building itself was left fairly unscathed by the incident, according to the Medford Fire Department.

Smoke was sighted billowing from the residence at approximately 2:52 p.m. Thursday. Medford Fire says it took them about 10 minutes to put out the blaze upon their arrival at the scene.

No injuries occurred.

Evidently, the incident was brought about by what the department describes as the “spontaneous combustion” of a pile of wet, organic fertilizer, baking in the sun outside the building.