CENTER TWP — State police have ruled that a small fire inside a detached garage on Route 38 was deliberately set Friday afternoon. No one was injured.

A similar fire happened last month at the same garage, according to investigators.

Trooper DuWayne Baird, a deputy fire marshal, said Monday that he has a suspect in the recent fire. He would not identify that person.

“We have interest in a particular person,” Baird said, “and talked to (that person), who denied causing the fire.”

Both fires caused minimal damage and were put out by neighbors, authorities said. Becky Johnson owns the prefabricated steel garage that is about 50 feet from her home, police said.

A 12-year-old girl, a relative of Johnson's who was staying there, called 911 about 4 p.m. Friday to report the garage fire.

Unionville Volunteer Fire Department was one of several departments called. But the garage was not on fire, only contents.

Baird described the items as “miscellaneous paper products” and “garland and other Christmas decorations.”

A neighbor ran over and used a garden hose and possibly at least one extinguisher to put out the fire. Authorities estimated damage at $500.

The garage has electrical service but investigators believe the fire was no accident.

“Someone intentionally set it,” Baird said.

He noted that while investigating Friday's incident he learned that there was a similar “spot fire” at the garage about 6:30 p.m. June 18.

Unionville VFD was called to that fire, which had been put out by a neighbor before firefighters arrived.

Baird said the recent fire remains under investigation.