Upon arrival, crews found a 20-foot by 20-foot detached garage fully engulfed in flames. Because of the close proximity of a secondary structure, firefighters prioritized containment to prevent the fire from leaping to the adjacent building. Their quick intervention successfully protected the exposed structure, though the heat was intense enough to cause significant damage to its siding and roofing.
The effort was a collaborative one, with the Clear Lake Fire Department deploying two engines and a medic unit. The Ventura Fire Department provided essential mutual aid, arriving with an additional pumper and tanker to assist in the operation. Officers from the Clear Lake Police Department and the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Department were also on-site to assist emergency crews.
According to Clear Lake Fire Chief Jim Finstad, the cause of the fire was determined to be accidental. Investigators found that an ember from a nearby outdoor fire drifted and ignited the garage. While the garage is considered a total loss with damages estimated at $25,000, there were no injuries reported during the incident. The scene was cleared and crews returned to service by 12:25 p.m.