ALBERT LEA, Minn. — Albert Lea Fire Rescue (ALFR) tackled a garage fire in the 1500 block of Elm Street on Tuesday evening.

Firefighters arrived at 6:31 p.m. to find a two-stall detached garage fully engulfed in flames. The fire had started to threaten the nearby home, prompting an evacuation. Crews quickly gained control and extinguished the blaze, though the garage and its contents suffered heavy damage.

ALFR says the fire's cause was identified as overloaded electrical appliances. There were no injuries reported, but damage to the garage and its contents is estimated at $80,000. The home sustained minor damage, with siding melting off.

Albert Lea Police Department and Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service assisted at the scene. Fire crews stayed for about an hour to manage hot spots and inve

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