Post-barbecue fire damages Black Hawk garage

By Ryan Woodard, Journal staff | Thursday, May 08, 2008

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BLACK HAWK - The garage at a home here was destroyed Wednesday afternoon by a fire caused when the owners put still-smoldering charcoal briquettes in a garbage can inside the garage.

The barbecue was Tuesday night, the briquettes were put in the can Wednesday morning, and the fire started that afternoon, according to Black Hawk Volunteer Fire Department Chief Dennis Mallow.

Firefighters were called to 6905 Daisy Lane about 1:20 p.m. and were able to get the fire under control in about 45 minutes, Mallow said.

Mallow said the residents were gone when the fire started but saw smoke when they got home and were able to rescue their dog, he said. They were attempting to fight the fire with garden hoses when crews arrived.

No one was injured, but the garage is expected to be a total loss, Mallow said. The house suffered mostly smoke damage, and the fire caused heavy damage in the attic area.

When firefighters arrived on scene, the house was filled with smoke.

"There were flames coming out of the attic on the south side," he said.

When firefighters made their initial attack on the garage, the garage ceiling collapsed, and the garage burst into flames, Mallow said.

The Black Hawk, Piedmont and North Haines volunteer fire departments responded to the blaze, as did the Pennington County Search and Rescue Team.

The residents of the house, James and Debra Radenic, have insurance and were being assisted at the scene by the American Red Cross, Mallow said.

He said similar accidents have happened during barbeque season, adding that embers from a fireplace or barbeque grill should always be put in a metal can with nothing flammable inside.

Contact Ryan Woodard at 394-8412 or ryan.woodard@rapidcityjournal.com.