Garage fire cause still unknown

By SHELLEY TERRY - Staff Writer - sterry@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

January 07, 2009 12:40 am

— MORGAN TOWNSHIP — Firefighters aren’t sure what set a garage on fire Monday night, but they do know an explosion disintegrated the structure, Morgan Hose Company Fire Chief Vern Goodge said Tuesday.
“The cause remains undetermined, but there were a lot of things in there that would make a lot of noise in an explosion,” he said, noting he discovered aerosol cans, empty gallon cans, cans with sealed caps, a drive shaft and a beer keg in the rubble.
Morgan Township firefighters received a call at 8:20 p.m. Monday that a 24-foot by 30-foot garage was on fire at 3349 Riverdale Road, Goodge said.
Shortly thereafter, the structure exploded, leaving heavy smoke hanging in the air. Firefighters from four area departments battled the smoke and fire in frigid weather conditions until 10:15 p.m., Goodge said.
An ambulance stood by as firefighters worked with water that quickly turned to ice.
No injuries were reported.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol and Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Department also aided the effort, helping to block traffic on Riverdale Road from the Riverdale Road Covered Bridge to Route 45.
According to the Ashtabula County Auditor’s Web site, William G. Wickert owns the property.