(Dickens)—Cause of a fire earlier today (Tues.) that destroyed a garage and damaged a house near Dickens in Clay county has been ruled accidental by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Firefighters from Dickens and Webb were called to the Tom Gross residence at 2555 440th Avenue shortly after 9:00 this (Tues.) morning.
Upon arriving firefighters found a double unattached garage fully engulfed in fire and the house that sat about six feet to the north had also started on fire.
Firefighters were able to stop the fire in the house in the attic on the south side.
An investigation determined the probable cause was an electrical malfunction with a freezer located on the west end of the garage.
Officials say a strong south wind caused the fire to quickly spread.
No one was home at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reproted.
The garage is a total loss while the house sustained severe fire damage. Officials say damage estimates could exceed 200-thousand dollars.
The Dickens and Webb Fire Departments were on the scene more than four hours. They were assisted by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.
