DICKINSON — The Dickinson Fire Department was dispatched at approximately 4:42 p.m. Friday to the West River Community Center when a pile of towels caught fire in one of the facility's commercial dryers.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Deputy Fire Chief Mark Selle said it may have been sparked by poor ventilation, too few towels in such a large dryer or cleaning chemicals on a rag that became flammable when heated.
“There was no major damage, other than the towels,” Selle said, adding that there was some fire extinguisher powder and charring inside the drum of the dryer.
WRCC staff members used a fire extinguisher to contain the blaze until firefighters arrived. Selle said at that point the towels were still smoldering.
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The fire department was on the scene for about 30 minutes.
Selle advises that citizens ensure they have a working fire extinguisher accessible in their buildings and are trained and capable to use them in the event of an emergency. He noted its presence as something that could potentially save property and even lives.
“Having that fire extinguisher for these small fires can save a lot of damage and keep things from getting worse in your home or at a business,” he said.
In accordance with standard procedure, the Dickinson Police Department was also called to the scene.
