A cardboard box full of rags spontaneously combusted at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County's Technology Center on Tuesday night, the Office of the State Fire Marshal said.
The fire broke out in a kitchen at the facility at 1450 South Rolling Road in Halethorpe around 8:30 p.m. A sprinkler was activated and an employee helped extinguish the fire by hand, so the fire was contained, officials said.
The rags had been washed and dried before they were left in the box, according to officials.
Still, the fire caused about $2,500 in damage, the fire marshal said. The cause of the spontaneous combustion is under investigation.