West Metro Fire Fighters responded to 1635 Ingalls Street, Lakewood just after 3:30 p.m. on Mon., April 28, to find a garage and ranch style home engulfed in flames from the back of the residence. Five people were home at the time of the fire. Three people were transported to a local hospital, all with minor burns from the radiant heat and flames. West Metro Fire Investigators have determined that discarded ashes in a plastic container started the fire.

Fire fighters doused the flames but took 2 ½ hours to ensure that all the smoldering remnants were extinguished. Fire gutted most of the home and garage as well as two vehicles. The ashes from a BBQ meat smoker left in a plastic container from Saturday are the origin of the fire. Due to the wind and the compressed ashes in the container, enough heat was generated to ignite the blaze. The fire started on the deck then quickly spread to the outside of the house and garage.

Six people have been displaced from the home. At this time, no dollar amount has been determined for the loss.