Another Springfield garage fire strikes Sunday morning

Another garage fire broke out early Sunday morning in Springfield, but a fire official would not say if it is being considered arson or connected to a series of recent garage fires in the city.

Sunday’s fire on the 1700 block of Columbus Avenue a little after 1:30 a.m. originated from a garage, but spread and damaged multiple homes and vehicles. Springfield Fire/Rescue Division crews discovered five properties in flames upon arrival.

The flames caused a total of more than $40,000 in damages, and it is unclear how many people were displaced, a fire official said Sunday. There were no injuries and Sunday’s incident remains under investigation.

The fire happened just two days after a fourth overnight garage fire in a about a block stretch over five weeks occurred on nearby Highland Avenue.

Friday morning’s fire happened at 1566 Highland Ave. around 4:30 a.m. The fire started in the family’s garage, spread to their car and eventually burned the home, according to Springfield Fire/Rescue Division Assistant Chief Brian Miller.

The three people inside the home were able to make it out of the house unharmed, but the family’s dog died in the blaze.

Prior to Friday’s blaze, the fire division had responded to garage fires at 1567, 1615 and 1602 Highland Ave. all since April 7, Miller said. The fire division has also been investigating these other incidents. Miller added that these homes seem too close together to not be related, but at this time the department has not found anything that links them together besides geography.

The fire division is asking neighbors in the area to keep their eyes open and to report any suspicious behavior, especially at night.