Firefighters open the overhead door of a business on Charles Drive in Grass Valley Monday after a fire caused heavy smoke. (Photo by Eileen Joyce)

A propane heater used to strip paint also helped start a fire Monday at a warehouse off Loma Rica Drive, according to the Nevada County Consolidated Fire District.

The fire at 12050 Charles, No. 22, caused extensive smoke and heat damage at the business, which paints furniture parts, said Engineer Mike Stewart.

Fire crews were called to the fire at 12:55 p.m.

According to Battalion Chief Spike Newby, a worker was trying to remove paint that had accumulated on the wall of a painting booth. He used the heater to soften the paint before removing it. Air filters in the booth caught fire, and the flames went on to cause extensive heat and smoke damage.

Newby didn't immediately know the cost of the damage, but called the fire preventable.

"Don't use a heat source around combustible products," he said.

Newby and Stewart said the fire could have been worse because stacks of plywood and particle board were inside, but crews had the flames contained by 1:16 p.m.

Stewart didn't know if the business has a name, but said the owner is Daniel Dean. A worker at the scene declined comment.

The business is housed in a warehouse with other businesses, but none of the neighboring businesses were damaged.

Grass Valley and Ophir Hill fire crews also responded.

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