Town of Polk, WI – A detached garage fire in Washington County on Wednesday afternoon caused significant property damage but no injuries to residents or animals, authorities said.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were notified of the fire at 1:41 p.m. Wednesday at a home on Sherman Road in the Town of Polk. Jackson Fire Department crews responded alongside sheriff’s deputies after a homeowner reported the garage was fully engulfed.
The homeowner was able to safely evacuate two pigs from the structure and moved one vehicle away from the flames. However, another vehicle parked near the garage could not be relocated. Officials said the garage, a roughly 20-by-22-foot structure located about 20 feet from the home, was heavily involved when crews arrived.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze, but not before it spread to the north side of the nearby two-story home, damaging windows, siding and portions of the roof. A pickup truck parked in the driveway also sustained damage, including to its paint, tires and a broken window.
Authorities estimated the garage and its contents were a total loss, valued at approximately $63,000. Damage to the residence was estimated at $30,000.
Investigators determined the fire was accidental. The homeowner had been cooking hamburgers on a gas grill inside the garage, which was left unattended while operating. Leaves near the grill reportedly caught fire, leading to the rapid spread.
Multiple departments assisted at the scene, including Jackson, Slinger, Richfield, Germantown and West Bend. WE Energies also responded.
No injuries were reported among residents, firefighters or responding personnel.
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