A fire early Saturday afternoon has destroyed a home and garage, caused significant damage to a second home, and displaced four people.

Shortly after 3:00 p.m. firefighters were called to the blaze, on Willow Drive, in the Town of Paradise. With black smoke billowing into the sky, visible from many kilometres away, crews arrived to a garage fully ablaze.

Derek Hunt, Platoon Chief with the St. John’s Regional Fire Department (SJRFD), stated with the detached garage already completely engulfed in flames, and with fire consuming the nearby house, firefighters turned their attention on preventing the fire from spreading to neighbouring homes. Given the heat of the fire and how close the intense fire was, an additional residence sustained significant fire damage.

Four people were inside the garage when the fire broke out. All escaped the fire, however one person was taken to hospital as a precaution. Three people from one home, and one person from a neighbouring home, are all displaced as a result of the fire.

Once firefighters has most of the fire knocked down, a master stream from the top of a fire engine was used to soak the area in an attempt to cool any hot spots.

Dozens of onlookers surrounded the area as crews worked for several hours. Willow Drive in the area was also closed for several hours. An investigation into the cause of the blaze is ongoing.

Earlier story: Firefighters remain on scene of a destructive fire in the Town of Paradise at this hour. A garage and home have been destroyed, and a second home has sustained significant damage. Willow Drive, in the area of the fire, remains closed. There have been no reported injuries.

An update will follow.