Grass fire in Burriss destroys garage house also suffers major damage

The La Vallee Volunteer Fire Department remained at the scene of a fire in Burriss until after 1 a.m. this morning.
Firefighters responded to a call at 6:30 p.m. and arrived at the residence of Richard Garbowski on Highway 613 N., where they found a garage and house on fire.
La Vallee Fire Chief Leo Pruys said this morning that both buildings were still standing when firefighters arrived, but it was quickly apparent the garage could not be saved.
As such, firefighters concentrated their efforts on the house, where the flames appeared to be confined to the top floor.
Chief Pruys said the blaze was caused by a grass fire that got out of control.
Controlled grass fires are a common practice in the district at this time of year, where they are used to clear the ground of last year’s dead plant material.
However, they are not without some hazards.
“There’s a safety lesson here,” Chief Pruys remarked. “Always stay with your grass fire, have the right equipment on hand, and make sure you have a [burning] permit.”
Chief Pruys said fire damage to the house was extensive, particularly on the upper floors.
“There was major damage,” he said. “The whole roof is gone.”
There also was significant water damage on the ground floor.
Also lost was a half-ton truck that had been in the garage. Preliminary estimates put the total damage at $250,000.
Garbowski is the owner of Richard’s Rod and Reel Service, which is located on the same premises. The business, however, was not damaged by the fire.