Cause Of Vilas Avenue Garage Fire Under Investigation

The cause of a fire that severely damaged a detached garage on Vilas Ave. is under investigation.
 
Engine Company 9 happened to be doing inspections in the area when the 911 call came in. A neighbor was spraying down the outside of the garage with a garden hose when they arrived just a moment later.
 
With both the overhead door and side door closed, there was smoke emanating from the garage and only a small amount of fire showing on an outside wall.
 
Firefighters took their own 200-foot, 1.75-inch hose into the garage through the side door. They were met with smoke down to the floor but not too much heat as they began fire attack.
 
The flames initially found in a back corner of the garage were quickly knocked down, but crews soon discovered more fire still active above the ceiling, in the attic.
 
A car parked inside the garage, which could not be moved at the time, complicated matters for firefighters. Nevertheless, they continued to work around the vehicle as Ladder Company 6 helped pull down the ceiling and expose the attic fire.
 
The fire was officially knocked down at 2:51 p.m.  Damage estimates are not yet available.