Several years ago a friend in Chicago lost his house due to a mulch fire. The mulch combusted on its own and burned the house so badly it had to be torn down and a new house put up. His fire started in the backyard so it is not likely a match or cigarette started it.

Today I was doing yard work and I noticed smoke coming from the side of the house across the street. Then someone yelled to call the fire department. They said the house was on fire. Turns out they had a garden and the mulch was in flames. We got the homeowner who was in the house and unaware. He got a hose and was able to put the flames out. It took awhile and timbers edging the garden had just started to burn.

Watch your mulch especially when it is hot and dry.

 

Neighbor had a fire Friday night, not sure if it was mulch or brush, but there were several fire trucks, volunteers, and police cars. Happened just after dark. Ominous site with all the flashing lights and smoke haze.