MANSFIELD -- Spontaneous combustion from stain-soaked rags used in a remodeling job caused the early morning fire that destroyed a York Road home last Friday, fire officials said.

The fire at 34 York Road started on the first floor near the kitchen, where hardwood floors were being installed, fire Lt. James Puleo said Tuesday.

No one was injured in the blaze, reported shortly before 2:30 a.m. Residents Charles and Anne Furey were staying at a nearby motel during the remodeling project.

Contractors had laid down the final coat of finish on the floors before the fire erupted, Puleo said.

`` They were using a stain that's susceptible to spontaneous combustion,'' Puleo said. `` The wet rags were in boxes on the first floor.'' `` It's a fairly common occurrence when you consider the state as a whole,'' Puleo said. `` I can think of three or four (examples) right off the top of my head.''

He warned that rags soaked in chemicals should be disposed of properly.

`` Always make sure that any material you use, when you're done with it, immediately bring it outside of the house and soak it in water,'' he said.

Puleo said a similar construction fire happened at 29 York Road in June 2004.

In that blaze, contractors working on hardwood flooring burned a hole in the floor, causing smoke damage.

The contractors were using an oil-based finish, and had bags of sawdust stored nearby, Puleo said.

The homeowners immediately alerted the fire department, which minimized the damage.

Many floor installers are aware of the safety issue, said Winnie Bell, manager of Wallpaper City in Mansfield.

`` It's says right on top of the can: `Dispose of rags properly,''' Bell said.

Meanwhile, local efforts to help the Fureys are under way. Mansfield High School, where the Fureys' daughter, Gillian, is a senior, is accepting donations for the family, Principal Brenda Hodges said.

Several groups within the school are organizing fundraisers, she said.

Anyone wishing to make donations should call the school at 508-261-7540.

Also, the Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce is collecting donations from its members to purchase gift certificates for the family.

Anne Furey owns PlaceLift, an interior decorating firm.

MICHAEL GELBWASSER can be reached at 508-236-0372 or at mgelbwasser@thesunchronicle.com.