SUMMIT TWP — A smoldering burn pile from the previous night ignited a pre-dawn fire this morning at a detached garage in the 500 block of Star Grille Road, authorities said.

No one was injured but the 30-by-40 wood garage and its contents were destroyed.

A passing motorist spotted the fire shortly after 3:45 a.m. and called 911.

Flames had taken over the garage by the time fire crews arrived, said Chief Rob McLafferty of the Herman Volunteer Fire Company.

About 20 firefighters from five departments battled the blaze and got it knocked down in 15 minutes.

“We used 3,750 gallons of water and 20 gallons of (compressed air) foam,” McLafferty said.

Betty Minot, who owns the garage, was home at the time. Her house was never threatened by the fire.

While the garage was lost, firefighters were able to save a camper that was next to it. The camper sustained some damage to the siding.

Damaged or destroyed in the fire were items in the garage including a motorcycle, a dirt bike, an all-terrain vehicle, tools and motors.

A damage estimate was not available and it was not immediately known if the property was insured.

McLafferty said he believes the fire was accidental.

He said Minot’s family was burning trash Monday evening in an area about 30 feet from the garage, and they thought it was extinguished when they left.

However, the fire was apparently still smoldering and eventually reignited. Overnight winds possibly fueled the flames, authorities said.

Assisting the Herman company were firefighters from Saxonburg, Lick Hill, East Butler and Winfield. Fire crews were back at their stations by 6:15 a.m.