Oily Rags Start House Fire; Damage $25,000

Oily rags sparked a house fire that spread up the wall of a garage and into the attic of the house, according to the Ventura Fire Department. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters were called to the 9100 block of Feather Street at 8:14 Saturday morning after oil-soaked rags spontaneously ignited in the garage of homeowner Ken Eskridge. The fire spread and ignited a 1-gallon plastic container of gasoline near the rags, before spreading up the garage wall and into the attic.

Smoke and fire were visible by the time three engines and one truck arrived. The fire was controlled quickly and there was no damage to neighboring structures, firefighters said.

Damage to the house was estimated at $25,000.