Firefighters of the Bellefontaine Fire Department worked to contain garage fires behind two residences in the 400 block of north Madriver Street late Monday into Tuesday morning, staying on the scene for approximately eight hours.
Garages were destroyed by the blaze at 425 N. Madriver St., owned by John and Charlene Jacobs, and at 429 N. Madriver St., owned by James Powell.
In addition, a car, truck, recreational vehicle and a pontoon boat also were destroyed or damaged in the fire. Damage estimates were not immediately available.
No civilian injuries were reported, but one firefighter reportedly was treated at the scene for minor injuries sustained in the blaze.
Leiah Ray, who was staying at her grandparents’ home at 116 E. Williams Ave., said she woke up about 11:15 p.m., saw the garage behind 429 N. Madriver St. on fire and called 911.
Bellefontaine Fire and EMS responded to the area shortly after 11:30 p.m.
Mrs. Ray said she heard explosions, could feel the heat from the fire inside her grandparents’ home located several yards away, and, at one point, became concerned the blaze might spread to their garage.
Firefighters report that the fire did spread south to the garage behind 425 N. Madriver St., and that both structures were fully engulfed when they arrived.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.