Fire destroys Soap Lake garage

SOAP LAKE -- A large detached garage in Soap Lake caught fire Tuesday evening.

Home resident Robert Leonard said it is believed the fire was caused by a malfunction with a furnace inside.

Firefighters were dispatched to the home on 20203 Cherry Road NW about 5 p.m. and the garage was described as fully engulfed when crews arrived. It was first reported the homeowner and his daughter may have been inside the garage. Both the homeowner and daughter were reported safe shortly after.

Leonard said nobody was inside the garage when the fire started. He said if someone were inside to notice the problem with the furnace, much of the damage could have been prevented. Portions of the outer walls were completely destroyed and the damage extended throughout the entire garage.

Firefighters were concerned with power lines above the garage and Grant County PUD was called to the scene to turn the power off. A PUD official said the lines were damaged during the fire, and crews were at the home Thursday morning to replace the lines and restore power to the home. There was no damage reported to the power pole.

Fire crews reported cars began parking along the road to watch the fire and the street had to be blocked off.

The damage inside the garage was extensive, but Leonard said the flames never reached the house. An older vehicle stored inside the garage was damaged. No other structures were damaged in the area.