A Hempfield man suffered minor burns to his hands while attempting to remove equipment from his burning garage Saturday morning, firefighters said.
The block building, which contained woodworking equipment, was a total loss, according to Midway-St. Clair Fire Chief Rich Kepple.
A township fire investigator will look into the cause of the blaze that was reported at about 7:30 a.m. in the 100 block of Fry Hollow Road.
The owner was treated at the scene by an ambulance crew.
Firefighters were able to limit damage to the roof of a second, larger garage containing a tractor that was separated from the destroyed building by a walkway, Kepple said.
“It was good timing on our part, and quick action,” Kepple said of the firefighting effort. He said flames were through the roof of the smaller garage when firefighters arrived.
Several local fire companies responded, using long sections of hose to direct water on the garage.
A smaller engine from New Stanton was the only vehicle able to fit across a bridge on the drive leading to the garages, Kepple said.
There was some heat damage to a United States flag hanging from a nearby tree.
Crews cleared the scene shortly before 10 a.m.
