MONROE — A Monroe home was evacuated and its residents displaced following a garage fire earlier this week.

At approximately 11:24 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, the Monroe Fire Department was dispatched for a reported building fire in the area of the 1600 block of 15th Street. Upon arrival, crews located a fully involved, detached two-story garage at 1409 17th Avenue, according to Fire Chief Al Rufer.

Firefighters initiated a defensive fire attack while simultaneously protecting nearby exposures. Due to the intense radiant heat from the garage fire, the vinyl siding on the adjacent residence ignited. Crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire that extended into the attic area of the exposure through openings in the structure.

Although interior damage to the residence was limited, residents from both the upper and lower units were displaced. The American Red Cross is assisting those individuals. Vinyl siding on a second exposure to the south also sustained damage; however, those residents were able to return to their home.

The MABAS system was activated to provide additional resources, which is standard practice for incidents of this size and complexity.

No injuries were reported. Firefighters were also able to rescue several cats from the affected property.

“The Monroe Fire Department is grateful for the assistance of our public safety partners who helped bring this incident to a safe resolution,” Rufer said.

The final crews cleared the scene at approximately 4 a.m. on Feb. 4.

The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.