Jeff Raasch/SourceMedia Group News Updated: 4 October 2012 | 11:31 am in Disaster and Accident, Linn County, Public Safety

Spark from tool ignited fire that destroyed Cedar Rapids garage

Garage deemed total loss; homes in area also sustained damage


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Crews battle a garage fire near the intersection of 16th Avenue and Sixth Street SW Wednesday night. (image taken from KCRG-TV9 video)

Fire quickly engulfed a southwest Cedar Rapids garage Wednesday evening and damaged three other structures nearby, officials said.

Within about five minutes after the fire was reported, around 7 p.m., the roof of the two-stall garage at 220 16th Ave. SW had already collapsed, firefighters said. The first crew to arrive used water from its fire engine to keep the fire from spreading to a garage and two house nearby, before starting a defensive attack on the garage where the fire originated.

No one was hurt in the blaze, officials said.

The garage was a total loss. Exterior damage, including melted siding, was reported on some of the surrounding structures.

Fire Department spokesman Greg Buelow said people were working on a vehicle inside the garage when a spark from a drill ignited an open fuel drum.

The owner of the garage was listed as Jeff LaCoursiere, officials said.



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