Multiple crews responded to a garage fire and saved the home at 1638 3530 South Street in the Bloomington area of St. George, Utah, Oct. 4, 2012 | Photo by Joyce Kuzmanic, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – Todd Williamson and his family were at home this morning when a fire erupted in his garage sometime around 12:30 p.m. All three along with three dogs were able to evacuate safely.

The garage and a large Recreational Vehicle stored next to it were substantially burned, but the home, located at 1638 3530 South Street in the Bloomington area of St. George, was largely spared.

Chris Williamson, Todd’s son, was heading out from their family business, Aztec Shuttle, when he noticed smoke and heard fire engines in the direction of his father’s home.  As he headed toward Bloomington, he said the closer he got the more he realized it was from the area of his dad’s house.  He called his dad to ask and Todd said to him, “That’s my house!”

Chris arrived shortly thereafter. He said that his dad, Todd, was able to run back into the home  and recover a very important painting.

“His mom painted it right before she died,” said Chris, “it was the last thing he had from her so it was important to him.”

Chris also was relieved to be able to access their Aztec phone system because he said the switch system is kept inside Todd’s house. It did not seem to be affected.

A Dodge Caravan was burned up inside the garage. “We think that’s where it started, in the van,” Chris said, that he and his dad thought that was the only thing it could be – that or the water heater.

Firefighters confirmed the fire started in the garage but the cause was not yet identified.

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Copyright St. George News, 2012, all rights reserved.