CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – A triplex apartment caught fire Friday morning after a man used a mix of diesel fuel and saddle soap to clean his couch.
At 8:34 a.m., Clarksville Fire Rescue was dispatched to 2292 Old Ashland City Road, according to CFR Capt. Michael Rios. A passerby called 911 because a man was outside yelling that his apartment was on fire.
The first responding unit arrived in four minutes and saw smoke and flames. No other tenants were home, Rios said.
The fire was quickly brought under control, and the damage was contained to the one apartment.
Emergency Medical Services checked out the 64-year-old tenant, and he did not have any injuries.
The tenant said he was cleaning his couch with a mixture of diesel fuel and saddle soap; he left the room and then the fire started. The fire remains under investigation.
“Please do not use flammables as a cleaning solution. Read your labels and don’t mix chemicals,” Rios said.
The Tennessee River Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to assist the occupant of the apartment. No injuries were reported at the scene. CDE pulled the electric meter due to the damage of the apartment.
“The responding crews did a great job stopping the fire and keeping it from spreading to the other apartments,” Rios said. “Two families still have their homes because of their great work.”
Battalion 1 fire crews from Stations 3, 4, and 1 responded.