Propane cylinders ignite, burn Avon apartment garage

AVON — A garage at Timber Lake Apartments on Chester Road burned Monday night after a propane container ignited. No people or cars were in the garage at the time of the fire, but many home goods being stored inside were destroyed and two cars beside the garage were extensively damaged by the flames. Avon Fire Chief Michael Emling said the fire was reported at 7:17 p.m. and the first units arrived about 7:22. He confirmed the fire was propane-related but said the cause of the ignition is under investigation. "We had several propane bottles and one did ignite," he said. "We salvaged two others before they ignited." Paint melted and tires deflated on cars parked beside the flames. On the apartment buildings beside the garage, plastic blinds warped and some plastic siding melted. The buildings themselves, which have mostly brick exteriors, did not catch fire. Firefighters inspected the three apartment units closest to the fire to confirm that nothing inside was burning. The blaze drew residents of the adjacent buildings into the parking lot as firefighters worked to ensure the fire was contained to the garage. Nate Blanchard, who lives in a Timber Lake unit further from the fire, said he heard an explosion and went outside to see what was happening. "I came outside and I saw smoke, and I saw people running," he said. "I didn't know if it was a building on fire or what, and then I looked out here and saw it was a garage." Jeremiah Kelly, 12, who lives in the apartments, said he was babysitting in another unit when the incident began. "We heard a little boom, and it was right at the window," he said. "We thought nothing of it at first, but then we started smelling smoke. I looked out the window and we see the garage on fire and we also see this guy come running out of his house." Jeremiah rushed to his apartment to find his younger brother and his dog, and they waited outside until the fire was put out. One squad, one engine and one tower from the Avon Fire Department were used in the operation. Avon firefighters were assisted by Sheffield Village, North Ridgeville and Avon Lake units. Contact Dylan Reynolds at (440) 329-7123 or dreynolds@chroniclet.com.