At 1:32 pm today, the Moorhead Fire Department was dispatched to a garage fire at 3550 Riverview Circle South in Moorhead. Occupants of the house smelled smoke and upon discovering a fire in the garage, evacuated themselves and two dogs from the home and called 911. Crews arrived to find a large amount of fire and smoke coming from the garage extending up the side of the house. The fire was initially knocked down within about 10 minutes of arrival and took approximately one more hour to fully extinguish all burning materials. A cat, not initially evacuated, was found safely hiding in a bedroom. There were no injuries or fatalities.
A vehicle was destroyed. The garage and a portion of the house siding suffered extensive fire damage. Only minor smoke and water damage occurred inside the home, but will likely need fire restoration services before it can be reoccupied. The fire has been ruled accidental from improperly disposed of fireplace ashes in a cardboard box in the garage. No initial damage estimate is available.
The Moorhead Fire Department reminds residents that ashes from fireplaces can contain hot coal pockets for up to a week after the fire. We recommend removing and/or disposing of them in metal containers to prevent accidental fires until they have cooled completely.
