Fire training that happened to be wrapping up nearby likely saved a home on Foothill Road Thursday night.

Eighteen personnel and a fleet of engines from the Creston Fire Department responded to a garage fully engulfed in flames just before 9:30 p.m. An engine from Evergreen Fire Rescue also responded.

“It was an accidental start, most likely from grinding activity that taken place earlier that day,” Creston Fire Chief Gary Mahugh said.

The fire caused at least $50,000 in damage, Mahugh estimated.

He said it was lucky the fire team was training down the road and was able to respond within five minutes to keep the flames away from a house that was 10 feet away from the garage.

“Had that not been the case, it would have been just a few more minutes until the house caught fire,” Mahugh said.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.