By Blake Haas

NORMAL – A garage fire remains under investigation after a Normal Police Officer found the garage on fire at a four-unit apartment building while on patrol.

The officer reported the fire just after 9:00 p.m. at 301 S. Towanda Avenue on Tuesday. The officer reported visible flames and attempted to contact the building occupants to warn them of the fire.

“On arrival, firefighters pulled hose lines and connected to hydrants to extinguish the fire,” said Normal Public Information Officer Matt Swaney. “A second alarm was struck, which calls in off-duty firefighters and requests a Rapid Intervention Team from Bloomington Fire Department. Once it was determined that the garage was detached and the fire had not spread into the residential spaces, Bloomington Fire Department was released from the call.”

Swaney reported firefighters brought the fire under control within about a half an hour.

The garage unit suffered heavy smoke and heat damage, including a vehicle that was parked inside.

Investigators are working to identify the origin and cause of the fire.

There were no injuries reported, and a dollar damage estimate is not available.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].