It took only 20 minutes for Sheboygan firefighters to bring a garage fire under control, but the structure was a total loss on Monday.
The SFD was on-site within three minutes of being dispatched to the 10-hundred block of Bell Avenue just before 1 p.m. and turned six pieces of firefighting apparatus on the two-car detached garage, which was fully engulfed in flames when they arrived. Smoke could be seen for miles while crews battled the blaze, which was hot enough to damage power, cable and telephone lines, and scorch surrounding structures as well. But by 2:30 p.m. crews were able to clear the scene without any injuries and nobody being displaced from their home, but the lost garage was valued at $20,000.
Although not specifically identified as the cause, which remains under investigation, Battalion Chief Pat Nicholas advised against using carpets, rugs, non-fire-retardant tarps or cardboard on the garage floor, as they can absorb flammable liquids and ignite, and to install a fire extinguisher in the garage in case fire breaks out.
