DISCARDED FIREPLACE ASHES LEAD TO HOUSE FIRE

A fire that started from discarded fireplace ashes that had been stored in a plastic containers destroyed the garage of a Cape Girardeau home Monday morning.

Capt. Don Smith of the Cape Girardeau Fire Department said the home of Jim and Stephanie D'Amour, 2921 Bella Vista Drive, was heavily damaged. There were no injuries.

Smith said the D'Amours had cleaned out their fireplace and had placed the ashes in plastic containers and stored them in the garage. They had used the fireplace two days before, Smith said.

A car in the garage was destroyed, and the house had smoke damage.

Mrs. D'Amour was in the backyard when she noticed the fire, Smith said. Firemen responded to the blaze at 11:11 a.m.