Updated: Raging Fire Destroys Garage, Auto on Oaklyn Terrace

Update, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 29:

The precise cause of Wednesday evening’s blaze on Oaklyn Terrace remains under investigation, but investigators have determined that the fire started in the area of a wood-burning stove located inside the garage that was destroyed, according to Lawrence Township Fire Marshal Dale Robbins and police department spokesman Lt. Mark Ubry.

Update, 11 p.m. Nov. 28:

The cause of the fire that earlier this evening destroyed a detached garage, along with a Ford Bronco that was parked nearby, behind a home on Oaklyn Terrace remains under investigation, but investigators do not believe it to be suspicious in nature, according to Lawrence Road Volunteer Fire Co. Chief Shaun Dlabik.

Dlabik said residents called 911 shortly after 5:30 p.m. after they arrived home and discovered the blaze. He said one of the residents, after spotting smoke coming from the garage, opened the garage door and was greeted by flames that shot out and rapidly intensified.

The entire garage was engulfed in flames when township volunteer firefighters arrived. The bulk of the fire was extinguished within a half-hour, but fire crews remained on the scene for several hours dousing hot spots and assisting investigators.

Also destroyed in the fire were several pieces of landscaping equipment that had been stored in the garage, Dlabik said. The house on the property, separated from the garage by several dozen feet, was not damaged.

Embers sent up into the night sky amid the billowing smoke briefly caused concern about spot fires being ignited in an adjacent wooded area, but that area was checked by firefighters and no fires were found, Dlabik said.

He said there were no injuries reported.

Original Post, 6:38 p.m. Nov. 28:

A fierce fire has destroyed a detached garage, along with a vehicle that was parked nearby, in the rear yard of a home in the 100 block of Oaklyn Terrace in Lawrence Township.

Volunteer firefighters from the township’s three fire companies – Lawrence Road, Slackwood and Lawrenceville – were alerted to the blaze at 5:34 p.m. today (Wednesday, Nov. 28).

Lawrence Road Fire Co. Chief Shaun Dlabik arrived on the scene about a minute later to find the garage entirely engulfed in flames.

At the time of this report, firefighters were still hosing down hot spots amid the ruins of the garage.

Lawrence Township Emergency Medical Service personnel were on the scene, but there were no immediate reports of any injuries.

The cause of the blaze will be investigated by township police and fire officials.

This story will be updated as additional details become available.