$50,000 damage to home and garage from car fire

By Emil Dixon

December 5, 2005 | LOGAN -- A car fire caused approximately $50,000 worth of damage to a garage and condo unit Wednesday afternoon at 109 Penhurst Place, when a 1983 Nissan Pulsar caught fire.

A report written by Logan Police officer Alan Hodges said Rhett Udy told him that when he first started the car he saw smoke coming out of the vents, but wasn't concerned because he has had a lot of problems with the car in the past.

According to the report, after starting the car Udy went into his house for a few minutes, but then heard a loud pounding at his front door. The pounding came from a neighbor alerting Udy that his car was on fire and that he had called 911. Udy then went to the garage and was able to save his second car by backing it out before it was engulfed in flames. Udy suffered from smoke inhalation and received treatment for it on the scene. However, he later denied Red Cross assistance.

After the fire was put out both the garage and residence were condemned by the Logan City Building Inspector, according to the police report. In the meantime, Udy told officers he and his wife will stay with family members.

Incident Commander Jeff Peterson from the Logan City Fire Department was not available for comment.

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