Authorities are investigating a fire late Sunday night that damaged a large garage in Butler and destroyed a car inside.

Crews were called shortly after 10:30 p.m. and found heavy smoke coming from the 100-foot-by-26-foot garage in the 300 block of Pillow Street, said Butler Fire Chief Nick Ban.

Firefighters had to force their way inside and found the fire coming from a car in one of the spaces.

The garage is divided into four separate rental spaces, Ban said. There were two vehicles in the garage. All four doors were locked.

Steve Stanford owns the car on fire. He told authorities he is replacing the engine and the older model car did not have a battery in it.

Ban said, “The car was inoperable, and we don’t know how it caught fire.”

He said the fire did not appear suspicious.

Firefighters quickly put out the blaze, preventing the fire from spreading beyond Stanford’s rental space. The VA Butler Healthcare’s rapid intervention team assisted at the scene.

“(Stanford’s) car was completely burned out and there’s nothing left but the metal,” said Ban, who estimated damage to the vehicle at $2,000 to $3,000.

The garage, owned by Alex Kefalas, had about $10,000 in damage.

The garage is insured, but the car was not, authorities said.

Ban said he plans to call the state police fire marshal to investigate.