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SALT LAKE CITY — A garage fire caused an estimated $50,000 in damage and knocked out the power in a Salt Lake neighborhood early Monday.
Investigators determined "there was no criminal intent" behind the fire and it was not started intentionally, according to Salt Lake fire spokesman Jasen Asay.
"(Investigators) can't determine the exact cause (of the fire)," Asay said.
Firefighters responded at 1:20 a.m. to a fire in a detached garage at 2000 E. Blaine Ave. Three other structures within 10 feet to 15 feet did not catch fire, but a second detached garage and light pole were ignited, taking power out on the entire block, according to Salt Lake Fire Capt. Jared Bills.
“When the crews arrived with the power pole and all the lines going, it looked like a fireworks show in that smoke. It was just lighting up and booming and banging. It was pretty neat but dangerous,” Bills said. "It was like the Fourth of July in the smoke."
Lines were "arching" and "popping," he said, so firefighters had to be aware of their surroundings and "watch each other's backs the whole time" to make sure they and their water lines did not make contact with the electrical sources.
"It got pretty interesting pretty quick," Bills said.
Crews contained the fire within 15 minutes of arrival and were able to extinguish flames on the second garage. Six small motorbikes were destroyed in the first garage, but firefighters were able to roll a car out of the second garage before it was damaged.
No one was injured in the fire.
