Garage destroyed in Mandan fire

A Friday night fire destroyed a Mandan garage located adjacent to an apartment house at 504 Ninth Avenue Southeast.

Fire Chief Steve Nardello said firefighters and equipment responded to a call that came in at 7:50 p.m. It took nearly an hour for the fire to be brought under control. While the response kept the fire contained to the building of origin, the building was totaled, Nardello said.

Renters of the apartment house were in the garage working on a 1994 Chevrolet Baretta belonging to Danielle Roehrich. The investigation determined they were working on the engine, which they were spraying carburetor fluid into in an attempt to start the vehicle. Eventually, the car backfired and the engine caught on fire, spreading to the rest of the building.

There were 32 firefighters at the scene battling subzero temperatures along with the blaze. The last truck left the scene at 9:30 p.m.

- Gordon Weixel