-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Firefighters from Badger and Clare battle a garage fire Friday evening at 500 Center St. in Barnum. The fire appeared to originate in the detached garage and spread to the nearby house, melting much of the siding.

BARNUM – Smoke and flames heavily damaged a Barnum garage Saturday evening.

Firefighters from Barnum and Clare were called to 500 Center Street at about 5 p.m.

No injuries were reported.

Thick black smoke could be seen from miles away on Iowa Highway 7.

When firefighters arrived, the fire was fully involved, according to Nick Ruhland, Barnum fire chief.

“Flames were rolling out of the front garage door with heavy black smoke,” Ruhland said.

The fire spread from the detached garage to a nearby house, where it melted much of the siding.

The occupants of the property were home at the time of the fire.

“When they saw flames, they called 911,” Ruhland said.

Dianna Attleson is listed as the owner of the property.

In terms of a cause, Ruhland believes the fire started after a heating element in the back of the garage either overheated or heated something else up that caught fire.

A lawn mower and a variety of tools were in the garage.

Firefighters were on scene for about an hour-and-a-half.

Webster County sheriff’s deputies were also on scene.