Lunchtime fire destroys garage quickly

By DAVID CLUCAS
Banner-Graphic Staff Writer
Marc Wilson found out that a fire can do a lot of damage in 30 minutes. Flames destroyed entire garage at 1174 E. CR 25 South residence while he and his wife were out for lunch Tuesday.

Greencastle Fire Chief Bill Newgent said Wednesday the cause of the fire is undetermined, but he noted that the fire seems to have started near the car parked in Wilson's garage.

Wilson said he was recharging his car battery at the time. The fire department estimates damages around $40,000 to $50,000.

Fortunately the 30-year-old garage was a separate structure from the house, but the fire's heat did melt off the vinyl siding of Wilson's home, located about 25 feet away.

The full structure fire was impressive in sights and sounds according to Assistant Fire Chief, Jeff Mace.

"When we got here the roof was totally gone," he said at the scene.

A loud tea kettle whistle also rang through Mace's head as a nearby Midland Co-op tank vented propane and flames into the air.

"The tank was doing exactly what it was supposed to do," Newgent said.

The chief explained that when a tank builds in pressure because of heat, it blasts the propane out in order to prevent a possible explosion.

As fire crews cooled the tank with water, they were assisted by the technology of a thermal imaging camera. The camera allows crews to view and identify hot spots in a fire.

Another assistance for firemen came in the form of a ringing bell on their air tanks. The bell lets each fireman know when it is time to replenish their air.

Three Greencastle fire trucks responded to the scene after a neighbor called for the emergency. Two Fillmore and one Cloverdale crew also assisted. Madison fire crews covered the station for Greencastle.

Wilson was eating lunch with his wife at the La Charreada Mex-ican Restaurant when a friend called him about the blaze.

"There's not much left," Wilson said shaking his head as he glanced toward the charred remains of the wooden wall frames and automobile. "Gone all in 30 minutes work."