Crime & Safety
Shamrock's Fire Caused by Cleaning Chemicals and Towels
After reviewing security footage of the incident, Central County Fire and Rescue said in a release that a pile of towels that had been removed from the dryer and placed on a counter suddenly caught fire.
Central County Fire and Rescue said the June 11 fire at Shamrock's Pub and Grill in St. Peters was likely caused by cleaning chemicals mixed with towels and rags.
The fire, which caused $25,000 worth of damage, was contained to a storage room at the restaurant. After reviewing security footage of the incident, CCFR said in a release that a pile of towels that had been removed from the dryer and placed on a counter suddenly caught fire.
“Hours later, after the restaurant closed, the video footage shows the pile of towels starting to smolder, then bursts into open flames,” CCFR Chief Russ Mason said in a release.
Officials determined the cotton terrycloth towels that had contained cooking-oils that caused the spontaneous combustion.
“A normal washer and dryer cannot completely clean the cooking-oils from rags and towels. When they are piled together, especially after being in the heat of a dryer, they have the potential to spontaneously combust because the heat has no way to escape,” Mason said in the release.
CCFR said extensive smoke and equipment damage will likely cause the restaurant to be closed for at least a month.
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