Fire heavily damaged the Tim Ferguson home at 23-44 Meadow Lane just outside Centralia early Thursday morning.
The fire was apparently set off by Ferguson’s minivan that blew up in the garage around four am. Ferguson woke up by the explosion and was able to get out of the home without injury.
Centralia Fire Protection District Acting Fire Chief Ross Boshera says the garage was fully engulfed upon their arrival and the fire had moved to the west side of the home. Firemen were able to knock down the flames before they spread through the rest of the home. However, it received heavy smoke damage.
Centralia City, Kell, Odin, and Sandoval Firemen were all called for mutual aid. Boshera says they provided additional manpower and water. The closest fire hydrant was about a half-mile away so water had to be hauled to the scene.
The State Fire Marshal’s office has been called in to investigate the fire.
Some firemen still remained on the scene in the late morning hours.
