Blaze Destroys Garages, Boat, Shed in Wisc.

Nov. 16, 2012
Kenosha firefighters have the blaze under investigation.

Nov. 16--Kenosha firefighters are investigating the cause and origin of a blaze Thursday night that engulfed two garages, a shed and a boat, and led to the evacuation of nearby houses along Harrison Road in the Forrest Park neighborhood.

The fire apparently started in a two-car, extra-deep garage in the 4500 block of Harrison Road and extended from the floor to the ceiling, sending flames leaping 45 to 50 feet, Battalion Chief John Poltrock said Friday.

The fire then moved to another nearby garage and a shed, he said

Flames and radiant heat then extended to a shed and a 30-foot cabin cruiser boat that was stored nearby and filled with at least 50 gallons of gas in the tank, he said.

The heat from the large fires did minor damage to the exterior of two nearby homes, he said. Firefighters sprayed water on those houses to cool them down.

Inside the garage it appeared that additional flammable liquids and compressed gas cylinders had been stored and they could be heard creating minor explosions, he said.

As a precaution, a number of houses in the area were evacuated for more than two hours.

There were no injuries, he said.

Poltrock said a passer-by reported the flames coming from the garage at about 11 p.m. Thursday.

Copyright 2012 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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