Firefighters from Uhrichsville and neighboring departments responded to a garage fire this morning in Rush Township apparently due to a heating mishap.
Crews were called to the 4700 block of Toad Hollow Road Southeast shortly after 8 a.m. for a fire in a small, detached garage about 28 by 24 feet in size.
Fire Chief Judd Edwards says the homeowner discovered the fire and reported it at 8:10 a.m. The garage contained yard tools, several lawn mowers, and cats that were inside at the time. The animals did not survive.
Edwards adds the fire was ruled accidental and is believed to have been caused by an electrical malfunction likely connected to measures taken by the homeowner to keep the cats warm inside the garage.
Firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control quickly once they arrived on the scene, but most of the contents in the garage were likely destroyed.
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