Business burns before opening

April 10, 2005

BOB MARTINSON/Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA - Loon Attic, a new café/tour shop business nearly completed on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway, caught fire early Thursday morning, sending many fire and rescue crews and police to the scene.

"They were just putting the final touches on to get ready to stock it for their business," Central Mat-Su Fire Chief Jack Krill Jr. said.

Fire hydrants were not easily accessible, because of backed-up morning traffic nearby, so crews used a folding water tank to provide water for extinguishing the flames.

"They had been putting a finish on pine boards for the walls and were using a linseed-oil based finish, which is very commonly used," Krill said. "They were spraying it on using a plastic garden sprayer and left the building about 7:30 p.m. The linseed oil either ate through the plastic container or the container leaked. The substance leaked down through floorboards and is notorious for spontaneous combustion. If you use it on a rag, you should soak it in water and put it in a confined metal container afterward."

Owners of the building were insured and are still assessing whether the building will be a total loss. There was significant damage to the inside of the building.

Krill said they respond to about six fires a year caused by linseed oil. People use it to stain their decks and then throw the rags in the trash, causing fires.