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GIRARD -- Fire investigators are working to determine the cause of a New Year's Day fire that engulfed a single-family ranch home at 1062 Beechwood Drive and caused minor damage to a neighboring house.
High flames billowed out from the home's garage and its back. The flames spread quickly throughout the home, causing thick smoke to rise over the neighborhood.
A neighbor described initially seeing flames coming from the home's garage, near a truck.
The home, according to Trumbull County Auditor's website, belongs to Samuel and Michele Maderitz. The couple purchased the property in 1994 for $79,000, according to the website.
Girard fire Chief Kenneth Bornemiss said the home owner told him a smoker was operating in the attached garage shortly before he smelled the smoke. Fire officials believe the fire may have begun in the garage.
"The property owner was home alone," Bornemiss said. "The family was away."
Two of three dogs were removed from the house, Bornemiss said. A third dog did not get out.
A neighbor, Joe Barringer, agreed to keep the dogs while firefighters battled the flames.
Fire officials were temporarily hampered in fighting the blaze because one of the fire hydrants they attempted to use was frozen and the stem of a second broke.
Bornemiss said Hubbard and Liberty firefighters brought in tanker trucks to supply the water needed.
Firefighters from Brookfield also provided assistance.
rsmith@tribtoday.com