The other day I posted some photos of a fire door that had done its job and prevented a fire from spreading.  Several of you emailed me about the photos, because they’re SUCH a great illustration of what a fire door is for.  It’s easy to imagine what would have happened if it was propped open.  Well, this morning I received even more photos of the same building (the Robert Moses Nature Center), from Bill Johnson of the Door Security and Safety Foundation, and this afternoon I received a link to a news article from Jerry Heppes of the Door & Hardware Institute.  Thanks guys!!

Here’s the rest of the story:

Update: Cause of Fire Identified for Nature Center

By Kris Rusho, WWNY TV7

Update:

Fire investigators have discovered the cause of the fire at the maintenance building in Robert Moses State Park.

A state employee accidentally discarded a leaking container of linseed oil into a wastebasket that had paper, rags and sawdust in it.

Spontaneous combustion sparked the blaze

Earlier Report:

Firefighters battled a blaze at the Robert Moses Nature Center in the town of Massena.

The call came in around 6 AM Tuesday morning with Helena, Massena and Hogansburg departments responding.

The nature center building also houses the New York State Park Police and the management offices for the Robert Moses State Park.

According to 7 News reporter John Friot, who was on the scene, the fire broke out inside the maintenance and carpentry building attached to the main section of the nature center.

Several birds were rescued from the fire at the nature center building.

The roof partially collapsed.

One firefighter had to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Officials said a state park employee arriving at work discovered the fire between 6 a.m. and 6:15 a.m.

The building and property are owned by the New York State Power Authority, but the New York State Park operates and maintains the building and the state park.

The U-shaped.building houses the park’s maintenance facility, carpenter shop, cold storage, park office, office of Park Police and the Robert Moses Nature Center.

A fire door prevented the fire from spreading to the nature center.

However, the nature center has cancelled all programs until further notice.

All animals inside have been moved.

Officials are assessing when the center can reopen.

They’ll determine if the rest of the building can be rehabilitated or needs to be demolished.

Park workers have been relocated to Coles Creek State Park in Waddington.

State fire investigators have been called in to help determine a cause.

And here are all of the photos:

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