Ephrata home destroyed in fire

EPHRATA - A house and garage were destroyed in a mid-afternoon fire Tuesday in Ephrata. The fire at 1639 C St. SW was reported at about 3:15 p.m., said fire department officials. Three adults were home at the time of the fire and evacuated without injury.

Firefighters arrived within five minutes of being summoned. "Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy and rapidly growing flames engulfing the rear of the house and garage," according to the press release.

The house and garage were heavily damaged by fire and were a total loss. Units from Ephrata and Grant County Fire Districts No. 7 and 13 contained the fire and kept it from spreading to neighboring houses.

"Preliminary signs point to the garage as the origin of the fire," the press release said. The incident is still under investigation and it's expected to take a few days to finish.

Between the three departments, 23 firefighters were on the scene at the height of the fire. Crews stayed on the scene until about 7:30 p.m.

- Staff report