WARREN — Towels in the Pit Boss BBQ, 2077 Elm Road, are believed to have combusted spontaneously about 6:45 a.m. Wednesday, according to a state fire marshal report.

Warren fire Chief Ken Nussle said surveillance video shows that towels were washed during the previous evening, placed in a bag and placed on a plastic cart.

“They were self-heating overnight,” Nussle said. “They began smoldering at about 4:30 a.m. and burst into flames at about 6:30 a.m.”

“Video images of the fire were sent from the restaurant … so they could be viewed later.”

No one was in the restaurant at the time. The fire department was notified about fire by Trumbull 911.

Nussle noted neither of the businesses on either side of the restaurant received anything other than smoke damage.

“The restaurant had significant smoke and water damage,” he said. “We do not have an estimated value of the damage.”

Nussle described fire crews as being at the site for several hours.