July 11, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2006-32) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION CAUSE OF 3RD ALARM FIRE Mobile Fire Investigators have determined a fire at Aramark Uniform Services located at 2565 Halls Mill Road was accidental and caused by Spontaneous Combustion. The fire, which was reported at approximately 8:07 p.m. on Monday night, July 10, 2006, caused an estimated $1 million in damage to the large one-story metal frame, metal veneer building. Firefighters arrived on the scene and reported heavy smoke coming from the structure and could see flames inside the structure. A 2nd Alarm assignment was called for soon after arrival to bring in additional firefighters to assist and eventually elevated to a 3rd Alarm assignment. In all approximately 14 fire trucks (approximately 56 firefighters) responded to the scene. The fire appears to have originated in the sorting and folding area of the laundered clothing, towels, mops and other goods. Investigators determined that one of the sorting containers contained a large amount of oily rags and spontaneously combusted causing the fire. The fire was contained to the building and it's contents. No injuries were reported. Spontaneous Combustion is described as ignition of a substance, such as oily rags or hay, caused by a localized heat-increasing reaction between the oxidant and the fuel and not involving addition of heat from an outside source. Also as ignition of a substance (as oily rags) resulting from an internal oxidation process. ###