Huntington Beach : Rags Ignite, Gutting Harbor Condominium

A fire, sparked spontaneously by oil-soaked rags, caused an estimated $400,000 in damage early Tuesday in a Huntington Harbour condominium complex, authorities said.

The blaze gutted the home of Sandra Lazear, 50, who had just moved in Saturday. It also forced the evacuation of up to 20 residents at Tennis Estates, a multi-unit condominium complex in the 16400 block of Saybrook Lane, fire officials said. There were no injuries.

“It’s a real good thing she got up when she did or else we could have had a real disaster,” Fire Department Investigator James Merrill said.

The blaze started in Lazear’s garage, where several oil-soaked rags she had used to stain a new banister in the home were left on the floor next to a water heater. They apparently ignited spontaneously, Merrill said.

“The type of stain material had a petroleum base, which created its own heat. When (the rags) were piled on top of each other they ignited,” Merrill said.

The water heater also was a factor in spreading the fire, department spokeswoman Birgit Davis said. But “even without the water heater (the fire) would have taken place,” she added.

Lazear told fire investigators that a noise downstairs awakened her at about 2:30 a.m. She fled to a neighbor’s apartment to call for help after she saw flames coming from her garage, Merrill said.

It took 40 firefighters about 30 minutes to extinguish the flames. Residents were allowed to return to their homes by about 4 a.m.

Fire officials said the blaze could have done more damage if the prevailing winds had been stronger since the condominium roofs are made of wood shingles that catch fire easily.

The fire caused $325,000 in damage to Lazear’s condominium ad $50,000 in damage to the contents, Merrill said. It also damaged a second apartment unit.