Pennington County Garage Fire Damages St. Hilaire Home

St. Hilaire (trfnews.i234.me) — No one was hurt after a Saturday afternoon garage fire in St. Hilaire. The garage, located on Second Street West, suffered heavy damage.

Fire Reported Saturday Afternoon

The fire was reported at a garage at 305 Second Street West in St. Hilaire, Pennington County. According to St. Hilaire Fire Chief Brad Naplin, the blaze caused substantial damage to the structure.

Before the fire started, homeowner Chad Beito had been working on something inside the garage. He later left the building. Sometime after he left, Beito noticed smoke coming from the garage area and reported the fire.

Crews Work for Hours at Scene

Chief Naplin said a motorcycle and a snowmobile were parked in the garage at the time. The vehicles were not badly damaged. He noted that most of the fire activity was in the rear portion of the garage.

The Thief River Falls Fire Department responded to the scene to provide mutual aid support. Firefighters were dispatched at about 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Crews remained on scene for roughly two and a half hours.

No injuries were reported among residents or firefighters. Authorities did not release a damage estimate. The exact cause of the fire has not yet been made public.

Officials Stress Home Fire Safety

Garage fires can spread quickly due to stored fuel, tools, and other items. Fire officials often urge homeowners to keep garages clear of clutter and flammable materials. They also recommend working fire alarms near garages and living areas.

For more information on garage fire safety tips, residents can review guidance from the National Fire Protection Association. Minnesota residents can also find resources from the Minnesota State Fire Marshal.

As of now, officials have not reported any related power outages or road closures. Neighbors were able to remain in their homes during firefighting efforts.

Further updates may be released if investigators determine a specific cause or issue additional safety advice.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.