The sound of 22-gauge rifle ammunition popping turned out to be the alarm notifying Burlington-area residents their garage was on fire.
The fire happened in a garage attached to a house in the 10500 block of Rolling Hills Road in Flint River Township, just before 11 p.m. Monday, February 9, 2015. While Burlington, Iowa firefighters were on their way to the home, the two people in the house had put out the main body of the fire according to Fire Marshal Mark Crooks. Firefighters finished extinguishing the fire after they found it had extended into the open attic and soffits.
A man and woman in the home “discovered the fire after hearing a box of 22-gauge rifle ammunition popping off in the garage,” Crooks said. Damage from the fire was described as moderate, with about $8,000 estimated damage to the structure and another $1,000 to the contents. Two vehicles were safely moved out of the garage.
Investigators determined the fire was started by improperly discarded smoking material.
No injuries were reported.