AUBURN – Flames destroyed a garage on Poland Road late Friday afternoon in a fast-moving blaze that could be seen miles away.

Nobody was at home when the fire engulfed the garage attached to the two-story home at 538 Poland Road, across the street from Poliquin Avenue. Neighbors said the blaze seemed to flare up all at once before engulfing the garage and threatening the house.

Seth Vincent and his family were walking on a nearby street about 5:15 p.m. when they saw the beginnings of the blaze.

“We came by a few minutes ago and there was nothing happening,” Vincent said. “Then we saw flames up higher than our house and we started running toward it. It was just a huge ball of fire.”

Firefighters were at the scene within minutes and they made quick work of the flames. The rear of the house was blackened from heat and flames but the building was mostly spared.

“Thank God they got here so quick,” Vincent said. “I’m glad there were no kids there or anything.”

The garage was flattened.

Thick, black smoke rolled up from the burning garage, and it could be seen from as far away as downtown Lewiston. Police quickly closed off streets around the fire scene, and fire crews responded and began to attack the flames.

It was believed the owner of the house was out of town Friday. A person caring for the property was notified about the blaze.

Auburn fire Lt. Gary Simard went to the scene to investigate the cause of the fire. He was not available Friday night with information about the cause of the blaze.

It was the third fire in two days to wreak havoc in the Twin Cities. Homes on Pettingill Street and Dow Avenue in Lewiston burned on Thursday. The cause of those fires were still being investigated.

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