Mulch spontaneously combusts, damaging four Ocean View homes

OCEAN VIEW, Del. – Four homes were damaged in Ocean View after mulch spontaneously combusted and sparked a fire.

Around 5:00 p.m. on May 3, the Millville Volunteer Fire Company responded to the unit block of Scarborough Lane. As they arrived on the scene, crews found heavy flames eating up a single-family home.

Fire officials say the residents managed to escape but noticed a pile of mulch on fire spreading into a tree next to it. The flames damaged three other single-family homes.

Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office investigators say the fire caused bout $1,000,000 in damage. No injuries were reported.