SUMMIT TWP— Firefighters this morning were still extinguishing hot spots from a fire that claimed a garage housing several family businesses.

The cause of the fire at 205 Freeport Road isn't known, nor is it apparent where in the large garage the fire started about 4 a.m. The roof of the business caved in not long after firefighters arrived.

Now, Ed Skillman, Dave McMillin and Shane McMillin are left trying to identify what is left of Ed Skillman Excavating, LADMAC Services, and Kosmic Signs and the equipment stored inside.

A passer-by early this morning woke the McMillin household by pounding on the door and telling them the garage next door was on fire.

The family called Skillman, who lives across the street, and he awoke to see flames. He said at that point he had no hope the businesses could be saved.

Capt. Rob Shuler of the Herman Volunteer Fire Department said when firefighters arrived, the building was fully engulfed and it took firefighters about two hours to knock down the flames.

"It's a total loss," Shuler said.

Skillman said he and his brother-in-law, Dave McMillin, partnered in 1981 to start Night Flight Entertainment, a business that customized tour buses for entertainers. That's when they built the garage, though the businesses inside have changed since then.

Skillman runs an excavating business, McMillin has a recreational vehicle repair company, and McMillin's son has a sign design shop.

Another family-owned business, Sew What, is housed separately and wasn't damaged in the fire.

Inside the garage was the bucket truck, the dump truck, and the trailer Skillman used for his business. Also inside was one of McMillin's RVs, now just a skeleton. A Jeep parked next to the garage also was destroyed.

"There were all kinds of tools," Skillman said. "It would take me all day to list the tools."

He didn't know what might have started the fire. No one, he said, had been in the garage since 4:30 p.m. Monday.

Skillman said it was too early to know if he'll rebuild.