MOUNT VERNON — A fire that started in a duplex’s garage on South 22nd Place sent up a column of smoke today that could be seen from Burlington.

The blaze destroyed the garage and its contents — including books, children’s school papers and occupant Robert Bellus’ mother’s “good china.” Firefighters say no one was hurt in the fire, which caused smoke damage throughout Bellus’ side of the duplex.

The family’s 10 pets — eight cats, a dog and a hamster — also were fine, Bellus said.

Bellus said that he was away from home when the fire was discovered about 12:05 p.m. A neighbor saw smoke pouring from the garage and called 911, he said.

“I was driving home and came around the corner and saw fire trucks,” Bellus said. That’s when he realized it was his home that was burning, he said.

Bellus said his 16-year-old daughter was home at the time, and when she opened the door to the garage, the flames flared up and singed her hair.

She was taken to Skagit Valley Hospital, where she was treated and released, said Erica Work, Mount Vernon Fire Department spokeswoman.

Firefighters from all three of the city’s fire stations and from the Burlington and McLean Road fire departments were sent to the blaze, Work said. Firefighters from Clear Lake and Burlington covered the rest of the city during the half-hour it took to extinguish the fire.

“We could see the column of smoke from Burlington,” said Work, who was in the neighboring city at the time.

Mount Vernon Fire Capt. Steve Riggs said the cause of the fire has not been determined. Possible causes include wiring in the garage for outlets or the garage door opener, or an improperly extinguished cigarette, he said.

The cost of the damage was estimated at $50,000, including repairing a neighbor’s ceiling, which firefighters had to damage to check for hot spots, Work said.

Eyeing the burnt contents of his garage, Bellus said he’d been meaning to clean it out. He said he wished he had purchased renter’s insurance, but he’s grateful that his family and pets weren’t hurt.

“It’s nothing but stuff,” he said.

* Marta Murvosh can be reached at 360-416-2149 or mmurvosh@skagitpublishing.com.

Auto Repair Shop Destroyed in Mount Vernon

(Mount Vernon, WA) – A fast-burning fire marked by explosions destroyed a well-established auto repair shop in south Mount Vernon Thursday night.  Mount Vernon Fire Department units were dispatched to the fire at 7:43 p.m., and quickly called for a second alarm.  Firefighters and apparatus from Burlington Fire Department, and Big Lake, McLean Road and Cedardale fire districts, also responded to the fire. The single-story metal construction building was fully involved in flames by the time the first fire units arrived. 

Firefighters were unable to attempt an interior attack on the fire due to intense heat and flames in the building.  Several explosions inside the building caused by propane tanks, acetylene welding equipment and overheated vehicle tires created hazardous conditions for the fire crews.  

 All of the building’s contents were destroyed or heavily damaged in the fire, including vehicles, numerous tools, electronic diagnostic equipment, and business records.  Several vehicles parked outside of the building, including two boats and a motor home, were also damaged or destroyed by the intense heat.  The initial damage estimate is approximately $300,000. 

 The business owner broke a window in an attempt to enter the building, but was forced to retreat due to heavy smoke.  He was transported to Skagit Valley Hospital for treatment to a wound from broken glass on his forearm that required stitches.  There were no other injuries in the fire.