Preparing for storm, fire ignites

A fire accidentally set Thursday by a homeowner trying to prepare for the storm left a garage damaged, the Baldwin Fire Department said.

No one was injured in the blaze at the corner house on Circle Drive West and Centennial Avenue, a fire department spokesman said, but the attached garage and the outside of the house were damaged. No vehicles were at the site.

The spokesman said the homeowner was gassing up his snowblower in preparation for the weekend storm when it somehow ignited. The fire department received “multiple calls” about the fire around 2:30 p.m., the spokesman said.

He said 60 firefighters responded to the scene, with two ladder trucks and four engines. Also, two ambulances went to the scene, but they weren’t needed.

The spokesman said the fire was under control within 15 minutes and personnel left the home after about 45 minutes.