Garage Explosion in Roanoke County

Reed Bohon and Fire Marshall Scott Jones survey the remains

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A Roanoke County man's garage exploded into flames destroying it completely and damaging part of his house on the afternoon of Dec 27.

Reed Bohon was startled by noise outside of his house that he thought was a car accident. He looked out the window and saw smoke pluming from the garage through the bay doors and windows.

Roanoke County Fire Station 11 was the first on the scene with Engine 11, along with other fire trucks. The fire was raging when they got there. Despite the damage from the fire no one was hurt.

Dean Peroulas, Captain of Fire Station 11, said that their main concern was Bohon's house did not catch on fire.

Engine 11 experienced hardships while trying to contain the fire. Getting water to the fire was difficult. The wind made it difficult to keep the fire away from house.

Firefighters set up a water shuttle to transport water from hydrants close by.

"Sometimes we ran out [of water], but most of the time we had enough water to do what we need to do," said Peroulas.

Though the fire did not destroy the home, it melted the siding and caused smoke damage.

Scott Jones, a Roanoke County Fire Inspector, said that he estimates the damages to be $80 to $100 thousand.

Fire inspectors are still determining what caused the fire, though there are many sources that could have started the blaze.

"A lot of heat and electrical sources in here," said Jones. "So far we have not come up with anything yet, but it is still under investigation."

Power tools, a pickup truck and vintage tractor parts were some of the most expensive things that Bohon lost in the fire.

"It's all up in smoke," said Bohon.