FRANKLIN _ A Sunday night fire that destroyed a Franklin village garage and its contents at a home at 318 Center Street, was started either by a malfunction in a garage door or a light ballast, a Franklin fire official said.
The garage at the home of Gene and Colleen Newton was destroyed in the blaze that started about 9 p.m., but only a nearby camper was damaged by the heat and some siding on the home was warped, said First Assistant Fire Chief Dale Downin. The building was used for a business selling wood and pellet stoves, he said. There were several inside along with tools, a car and a motorcycle, Downin said. The homeowner had insurance, he said.
The quick response by the Franklin department and mutual aid received from Treadwell and Otego departments prevented the blaze from spreading to any neighboring buildings, Downin said.
