METHUEN — Shortly after using an air compressor to inflate his lawn mower's tires yesterday, a Howe Street resident found his garage in flames as he cut his grass.
The compressor ignited a fire that tore through the two-car garage, but was prevented from spreading to the attached single-family home at 540 Howe St. Firefighters responded about 5 p.m. and quickly extinguished the blaze before it reached the house.
Owner Frederic DeParis told firefighters he was mowing the lawn when a passer-by alerted him to the blaze.
"He didn't actually notice, but somebody driving by said, 'Hey the house is on fire,'" said Deputy fire Chief Charles Ripley.
DeParis was home alone. The flames destroyed a wall and quickly traveled to the roof, causing an estimated $20,000 to $30,000 in damage, according to fire Capt. Michael Buote.
DeParis told firefighters he shut the compressor off. Buote said the machine malfunctioned and sparked an electrical fire. The family had a 2007 Ford F-150 pickup truck inside the garage.
DeParis' wife, Danielle, said she was relieved nobody was injured and expects their insurance company to cover the damage so the garage can be rebuilt.
"Sometimes, an ending of something is a new beginning," she said.
