photo credit: Bend Fire

Investigators say oily rags improperly discarded in household trash caused Wednesday’s fire on NW Florida Avenue.

Flames from the historic 1925 mill house spread quickly from the exterior up into the attic, leaving the home unlivable.

The Red Cross is helping two adults and two dogs who were displaced. Fire officials are urging residents to dry oil-soaked rags outdoors, store them in a sealed metal container with water, and take them to the hazardous waste facility for safe disposal.