A brush fire in Yelm destroyed a garage and damaged a home as it burned several acres

A brush fire near First Street Northeast and Railway Road Southeast in Yelm burned down a detached garage and damaged one home Wednesday afternoon, according to the Yelm Police Department.

KOMO News reports everyone inside the home that was damaged on Donovan Court Southeast got out safely.

Police said the brush fire, which was contained within 20 minutes, also scorched several acres of dry field. Southeast Thurston Fire Authority responded along with neighboring agencies, police said.

“Please exercise great care during this time of extreme heat and dry conditions,” Yelm police posted on Facebook after the fire was out.

Kevin McManus, who is staying at a home next to the one that was damaged, said neighbors fought back the fire before crews arrived. At one point it was climbing the side of his house and burned the back porch and yard.

McManus said wind helped carry the fire across the field toward the houses. He rushed back to make sure two dogs at the house he is staying at got out safe.

“That was horrifying, that moment right there, because I didn’t know how close it was to the house, and when I got there it was around the house,” he said.

This story was originally published August 16, 2018 at 8:19 AM.