Firefighters are investigating the cause of an early Thursday fire that burned a detached garage next to a vacant residence.

No injuries were reported in connection with the blaze, according to Firefighter Dane Andersen of the Casper Fire-EMS Department. He did not detail the extent of the damage.

Firefighters responded shortly before 5 a.m. to 1140 W. 11th St. after several callers reported seeing smoke and flames on the side of a detached garage, with fire traveling quickly to the roof of the structure.

The exterior fire was quickly extinguished. The response included four units, the on-duty battalion chief, chief officers and inspectors. Casper Police Department officers and an ambulance from Wyoming Medical Center assisted.

In the wake of the fire, Andersen wants to remind folks that despite the cooler weather, fire safety and prevention must be considered every day.

"With the sporadic nature of precipitation during the fall season, vegetation and brush are easily susceptible to drying out and being easily ignited," Andersen said in a news release. "Do not throw cigarettes or other smoking materials into vegetation, potted plants or landscaping, peat moss, dried grasses, mulch, leaves or other similar items -- they can easily catch fire."

Andersen encouraged smokers to ensure cigarette butts and any ashes are out cold before discarding them. Extinguish smoking materials in water or sand.

"And, as always, check your smoke alarms -- working smoke alarms save lives. Test your smoke alarms once a month, and as the Daylight Saving Time change approaches, make preparations now to identify smoke alarms not equipped with a long-life battery, and replace them," Andersen continued.

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