HEALDSBURG, CA -- Fire caused damage estimated at $500,000 at Nu Forest Products, a lumberyard and mill near downtown Healdsburg.

Fire invsstigators speculated that the Sunday night (Oct. 2) fire might have been triggered by a chemcial combsution of linseed-oil soaked cotton rags used to wipe wood stains, according to the Healdsburg Patch.

The fire destroyed pallets of cedar wood stacked 10 or more feet high in an outdoor warehouse, according to the Patch. Nu Forest Products is a full-line distribution yard that includes wholesale lumber, milling and drying operations.

The Patch reported that some Nu Forest employees worked at the lumberyard earlirer in the day, but that none were present when the fire crews arrived at the scene.

Firemen on the ground from several surrounding departments were joined by a firefighting helicopter and two airplanes tankers to battle the blaze and prevent it doing further damage to the plant, equipment and inventory.

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