Massive fire destroys garage in Columbia City

COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. (WANE) - Firefighters battled a big fire at Tri-Lakes in Columbia City Sunday afternoon.

Thorncreek Township Fire Chief Greg Green told NewsChannel 15 that crews arrived at 2716 E. Island Court to find a garage fully involved in fire. It took firefighters about 20 to 30 minutes to get the fire under control.

Two houses had minor exterior damage to the siding and a tree also caught on fire. Paul Vlaskamp, a witness at the scene, told NewsChannel 15 it looked like a couple of cars and a Sea-Doo were also destroyed.

Some downed power lines and the position of the fire made it difficult for firefighters. Green said they had to use a tanker truck for water, but couldn't get it close to the structure because of where it was located. Firefighters had to run hose out to the fire and it took a little while to get all of that set up.

No one was hurt in the fire and a cause hasn't been determined yet. Smith Township Fire Department assisted at the scene and the Noble County Fire Department brought the tanker truck.

Vlaskamp sent NewsChannel 15 this video of the fire that he took with his cell phone.