A family of five escaped a fire that destroyed their home early Monday morning, Sept. 17 in Hastings.
There were no reported injuries to civilians or firefighters.
Shortly after 4 a.m., the Hastings Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire at 7774 South St. Croix Trail Lane S. The blaze, which started in the garage, is under investigation, Hastings Fire Chief Mike Schutt said.
"When we arrived the garage was fully involved and the fire had spread to the kitchen and attic," Schutt said. "It's a total loss."
It took over an hour to contain the fire, Hastings Fire Captain Ryan McGraw said. The fire had spread up under the roofline, collapsing a portion of it onto the lower structure. The phenomenon, known as pancaking, can make the flames harder to reach, Schutt said.
Three vehicles and a motorcycle were destroyed in the blaze.