(BRONSON TOWNSHIP) – No injuries were reported in a Thursday morning house fire in Bronson Township.

Bronson Fire Chief Scott Wilber says his department was notified just before 6 AM Thursday by Branch County Central Dispatch about a structure fire at 376 Prairie River Road. A passerby called authorities and said there were flames coming through the roof of an attached garage. The motorist stopped and woke up the occupants of the house.

Wilber says the home owners told him they had working smoke detectors, but they had not yet gone off. As they were getting out of the house, the fire broke through the ceiling and walls, causing the alarms activate.

The Burr Oak and Colon Fire Departments provided mutual aid in battling the blaze, which was eventually put out.

Wilber says their investigation determined the fire started due to a spark from a charcoal barbecue grill that was on the back porch. Damage estimates stand at $200,000 for the building and $50,000 to the contents.

Wilber says firefighters were on scene for three and a half hours.