A two-alarm fire damaged 3 houses and a police vehicle on Memorial Day.
The fire was reported around 7 p.m. Callers said that a house was on fire in a cul-de-sac on Logan, near Marion and East Charleston Boulevard.
When firefighters arrived, very heavy fire could be seen behind a one-story house and it appeared the fire was spreading to two other houses on Sherrill Avenue.
The fire then spread to several trees, including palm trees Burning palm fronds set 2 more houses and a police vehicle on fire.
Firefighters were able to put the vehicle fire out quickly but it was damaged.
Two houses received extensive damage, the third house had heavy damage. A few autos were also damaged by the fire. Damage was estimated at $650,000.
Fire investigators believe an outside cooking device left unattended under a patio cover started the fire. It caught the wood roof on the patio cover on fire which spread to the trees, the backyard and vehicles. Within a few minutes there was a massive, fast moving fire.
An elderly lady, who lived in one of damaged homes on Sherrill Ave was treated for minor smoke inhalation on scene and released.
16 people were displaced by the fire.
A fire engine will stay on scene until Tuesday morning to keep watch over the block in case there is a flare up.
