Flammable wood preservative?

sawguy21 · April 10, 2007, 11:15:16 PM

I just read a news item that Johnny Cash's summer home burned to the ground. Firefighters responded quickly but were unable to save it. Apparently, workmen had applied a flammable wood preservative inside and out. ??? ??? ???

slowzuki · April 11, 2007, 08:58:35 AM

Most wood preservatives are held in suspension by a flammable solvent that evaporates as it dries. Stains are the same way. The clear anti fungal stuff I have I think is in naptha.

beenthere · April 11, 2007, 10:21:17 AM

I think there has to be more to this story than what was told. Probably was flammable when applied, but not after a few hours, at most. Can't imagine having a finish applied inside the home that would be volatizing over anything but a short period of time.
No more flammable than paint on the walls, I'd think. But, in the meantime, some more hype and fear get thrown to the public out there. Just to keep the hype that preservatives are BAD

slowzuki · April 11, 2007, 01:29:07 PM

I suspect they were there when it happened and it was still drying. BTW many preservatives are bad if in contact with skin. Copper napthalate or whatever the name is isn't good. Creosote isn't good for you either. So much of that junk isn't good for people but is great for wood and great when used in the right place. Rat poison is a great when you have rats but it isn't good to chew on, same idea.