HOPE (May 26) – A fire that destroyed a garage on the Martzville Road in Hope, Tuesday, May 25, has been ruled undetermined yet accidental in nature, according to Hope Fire Chief Clarence Keller.

Due to the damage left behind in the wake of the structure fire, which was fully involved by the time fire personnel arrived, Keller and fellow Hope, Union, and Rockport firefighters were unable to locate the cause within the aftermath. This non-discovery prompted a request for a Fire Marshal’s Office investigator, who also sifted through the rubble, but was unable to pinpoint the origin of fire beyond that it appeared to be up high, according to Keller.

The owner was home at the time, yet unaware of the fire before being alerted by a neighbor. Aside from exterior siding on the non-adjacent house melting from the heat of the flames, the primary residence remained unaffected.

Keller credits having mutual aid partners, the very quick response from those partners, the factors that remained on his side despite the fast-moving flames.

“We’re fortunate to not have the house get involved as well,” he said. “Had the wind been blowing in the other direction, or a bit more time had passed, we certainly can’t say for sure what would have happened.”

Water supply came from the South Hope dam near Pushaws and sprayed over the structure and the vehicle and other items within.

No injuries were reported.

HOPE — A garage at the end of an unpaved road in Hope was already fully engulfed by the time firefighters arrived to the structure’s hilltop perch Tuesday evening.

Shortly after the  approximately 6:15 p.m., May 25, call to 911, Hope, Union, and Rockport’s fire departments arrived on scene of the structure fire on Martzville Road, just off Route 17. Within half an hour, the blaze had been knocked down, leaving in its smoky wake minimal trace of the original structure.

With the narrowness of the road, several fire trucks parked along Route 17, though both lanes of Route 17 traffic remained open through the times when the trucks and personnel weren’t in motion. 

Rockport, Union, and a North East Mobile ambulance cleared the scene around 8 p.m.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com