NEW INFORMATION: Car, garage destroyed in fire

By Journal Times staff

Thursday, July 17, 2008 1:35 PM CDT

RACINE — Thick black smoke could be seen from many points of the city and suburbs Wednesday night as the result of a garage fire behind 2507 Diane Ave. The blaze also drew hundreds of spectators.

Fire officials confirmed that the unattached garage as well as a vehicle parked inside were destroyed in the fire, which was reported just before 8:30 p.m. There were no injuries.

The fire, brought under control in about 15 minutes, also caused some damage to the gutters, deck and a light fixture of the home fronting the garage. A fence and the siding on the north wall of the neighboring garage at 2114 Romayne Ave. were also damaged. Fire also damaged wires located behind the garage and an apartment building that fronts Mount Pleasant Street. Damage is estimated at $25,000.

Power was shut off to some of the area west of Mount Pleasant, east of Diane and north of Romayne Avenue.

The residence is located about two blocks north of Rapids Drive.

Fire crews worked to dyke and sop up gasoline that was rolling down the driveway of the home from the garage.

The homeowner discovered the fire and he attempted to extinguish the fire with extinguishers and a garden hose prior to the arrival of fire apparatus. The cause of the fire was still listed as undetermined as of 12:30 a.m. Thursday.

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