Hutchinson fire crews were called to the report of a house on fire in the 1400 block of North Cochran Monday morning. Hutchinson Battalion Chief Doug Hanen says they were dispatched to the fire around 9:15 a-m, and heavy fire could be seen from the front of the stucture. He says they went defensive at first, weren’t allowing fireman in because of the amount of fire, but crews quickly knocked it down. They then switched their tactics and went inside. He says the fire caused heavy damage to the front of the home.

Officials said late Monday that the owner of the property was apparently remodeling and had stored some rags with a finishing product on them in a pile. Apparently, as they dry, they will produce their own heat, and its believed that’s what happened here. They tell us that normally, rags with a petroleum based product such as linseed oil should be stored in a metal container with a lid on top to avoid getting air to them.

No Injuries were reported, and its believed the home was unoccupied. Damage to the home estimated at 40-thousand dollars.