A fire that destroyed a detached garage and damaged a neighboring home Tuesday in Ypsilanti Township is being investigated as a possible arson, firefighters said.

Firefighters responded to a call of flames and black smoke coming from 1355 Desoto Ave. at 6:27 p.m., said Captain Larry James of the Ypsilanti Township Fire Department. The home is vacant and no injuries were reported, he said.

James said a report on the fire has been filed with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office.

The blaze caused damage to a neighboring house, melting siding and gutters, and also damaged a privacy fence, trees and another garage. Damage was estimated at $15,000.

Firefighters were on the scene for about an hour, James said, and it took about 15 minutes to control the baze.

Flammable material, such as cardboard boxes and paper, were piled outside and inside the garage. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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