Car Fire Burns Duplex Garage and Contents

A Ventura woman watched in horror Friday morning as her car burst into flames, starting a fire that destroyed her garage.

The fast-moving, two-alarm blaze engulfed the garage within minutes. No one was injured in the 9:49 a.m. fire, which firefighters contained to the garage of the duplex on the 700 block of Empire Street.

The fire caused an estimated $70,000 in damage to the garage and its contents, including the car, a Jet Ski, stacks of family photos, newly opened Christmas presents, furniture and clothing, residents and fire officials said.

Pat Glazer, 69, was treated for anxiety and breathing problems by Ventura Fire Department paramedics but was not hospitalized.

Glazer was recently widowed and had moved into the rented home Jan. 3, said her daughter, Chris Neary of Camarillo.

The fire broke out shortly after an emergency road service worker had jump-started her dead battery, instructing her to leave the car running before driving away.

But as she warmed the car inside the garage, thick black smoke began pouring out from under the hood.

She turned the car off and left the garage as the fire spread and neighbors called for help.

The cause is under investigation.