Garage Fire Extinguished in Minutes

City of Madison firefighters quickly extinguished a garage fire late this afternoon, preventing any damage to the adjacent residence.
 
There were no injuries.
 
Firefighters were called to the 900 block of Vilas Avenue at 4:05 p.m. A neighbor called 911 to report the fire.
 
The garage is part of a single-family rental property with five tenants. Only one tenant was home at the time of the fire. Thanks to the rapid containment by Engine Company 1 and Ladder Company 1, no one was displaced by the fire. Another two-story rental property 20 feet to the east, and a smaller wood-framed residence to the south of the fire building also escaped damage due to a very quick response and fire attack.
 
As firefighters approached the scene, smoke could be seen coming from the front of the garage, which was used primarily for storage, and as a greenhouse.
 
Firefighters connected to a hydrant and pulled a hose line to extinguish the fire within minutes of their arrival.
 
Before the fire could be knocked down, crews had to power through an attached plywood structure at the front of the 20 x 20 foot garage.
 
A fire investigator was called to the scene to determine a cause for the fire. It is not believed to be intentionally set.
 
Damages to the building and its contents are estimated at between $15,000 and $20,000.