The Register-Guard by Rebecca Woolington

An explosion and fire caused substantial damage to a south Eugene garage and home Wednesday night.  The home's residents were able to escape without injury, but a pet cat perished in the flames, Eugene fire officials said.

Firefighters received a call at 8:40 p.m. and arrived at the residence to find the garage fully involved, Eugene District Chief Lance Lighty said at the scene.  A small Honda SUV parked directly in front of the garage also was destroyed. 

A tree in the front yard also caught fire, with flames threatening to spread to a neighbor's home before firefighters were able to control it, said Don Vaught, another district chief at the scene.

A neighbor, Teresa Bishow, said she went outside when she heard an explosion, but the heat was so intense that she had to go back into her house.

"The flames were probably about 30 feet in height, the same height as the tree, and the fire was so bright all you could see was orange flame," she said.

The cause of the fire was not immediately know.

The garage was linked to the house via an attic, which allowed flames to spread to the house.  Lighty estimated that the overall damage was somewhere betwee $50,000 and $200,000.

The home's occupants took refuge at a neighbor's home and declined comment.  The family's pet dog and goldfish were saved, Vaught said.

It's believed the residents were renters, said Vaught, who added that both they and the property's owner are believed to be insured.  A Red Cross volunteer was at the scene and provided assistance to the family.

The fire drew 22 firefighters, four fire engines and a ladder truck-and a crowd of onlookers. Article

Home Fire Prevention