MADISON TWP, Clarion County — The state police fire marshal’s office is investigating a weekend fire that gutted a garage and destroyed two vehicles in it.

Investigators did not immediately know what started the blaze about 4:30 a.m. Saturday at 207 Maple Grove Road.

Homeowner Ronald Grube was sleeping when he was awakened by a neighbor who spotted the fire after getting up to go to work, authorities said. The neighbor immediately called 911 and then went to Grube’s house to alert him.

Authorities said it appeared the fire started along a wall in the 34-foot-by-28-foot, two-stall garage. By the time firefighters got there, flames were through the roof.

Two vehicles — a 2009 Chevrolet Colorado and 2007 Chevrolet Impala — were in the garage. Both were considered a total loss, said Trooper David Powell.

A large number of work tools also was destroyed.

Damage in the fire was estimated at $60,000.

“It was one heckuva big fire,” said Grube’s mother, Zelda Grube, who was in the hospital at the time and did not see the fire. She was back at the family’s home Monday.

Ronald Grube and Trooper David Powell, who is investigating, did not immediately return telephone calls Monday.