The Rock Community Fire Protection District had to deal with more than fire when it was called early on Feb. 11 to a home in the 500 block of Rockwood Drive in Arnold, where a large, detached garage that was on fire, fire inspector/investigator Jim Goebel said.
He said Rock Fire got the call about 2:30 a.m., and firefighters had to deal with difficult road conditions to get to the fire.
“It was during the freezing rain,” Goebel said. “The roads became worse during the situation.”
He said there were no injuries despite the icy, cold conditions.
The garage was located about 50 feet behind the house at the end of a cul-de-sac. A neighbor was the first to notice the fire and called the fire department before knocking on the owner’s door, Goebel said.
“They (the owners) were watching TV in the front part of the house in the kitchen/living room area,” Goebel said. “They were still up.”
Goebel said about two-thirds of the garage was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, and they had the fire under control in about 45 minutes. But, the garage was destroyed, and an overhang above a boat collapsed. The house, however, was not damaged by the fire.
He said the fire was ruled an accident.
“It was kind of difficult to get back there because everything was iced over,” Goebel said. “The guys did a good job. They took their time without getting injured, and they got to the fire and put it out before it went anywhere else. I think it was a really good job with the weather conditions as it was.”
Rock Fire sent five trucks to the scene, and they were assisted by one truck from the Mehlville Fire Protection District. The Rock Township Ambulance District also helped with the call.