The blaze at 212 Ave. B generated a large cloud of black smoke that could be seen from the west end of downtown. At least half of the building was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.

A man who lives at 212 Ave. B and a neighbor, both of whom used garden hoses to try to stop the fire from spreading, appeared to have suffered singed eyebrows and minor burns, but declined medical treatment, according to Fire Department Lt. Nathan Conrad.

The fire in the detached garage behind the house was reported at about 4 p.m.

The fire dropped a power line in a shower of sparks.A couple of small explosions were heard.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
Sparks fall from an electrical wire that was burned through by the flames of a garage fire at 212 Ave. B late Sunday afternoon.

Immediately after arriving, firefighters used a big nozzle on top of a pumper to direct the first stream of water onto the blaze. Conrad said 325 gallons of water from a tank in the truck were sprayed on the fire from that nozzle, controlling the fire until a second pumper could hook up to a hydrant and get a hoseline in action.

A portion of the garage collapsed.

Conrad said three dirt bike style motorcycles, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a snowmobile were in the garage. All of them were destroyed.

He said the fire was accidental, with the most likely cause being a heater that was left on in the garage.

According to online records of the Webster County Assessor’s Office, John W. Gailey Jr. and Julie A. Gailey are the deed holders for the property at 212 Ave. B with Chuck Neavin as the contract holder.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
Fort Dodge firefighters direct a hose stream into a burning garage at 212 Ave. B late Sunday afternoon.

Firefighters were on the scene until about 5:30 p.m.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
A motorcycle continues to burn after Fort Dodge firefighters pulled it out of a garage that was destroyed by fire late Sunday afternoon. The fire at 212 Ave. B was reported at about 4 p.m.