Remote Starter Thought to Have Caused Garage Fire

ROYAL OAK, MI – Fire officials in Royal Oak are warning residents against using remote devices to start cars in closed garages after a Thursday afternoon fire destroyed a homeowner’s garage and two vehicles inside it after he used a remote start device.

Royal Oak fire officials said the fire in the garage in the 4200 block of Manor near Normandy erupted about five minutes after the owner used the remote device to start his 2014 Cadillac CTS, The Daily Tribune and WXYZ-TV report.

“He started the car in the garage remotely and noticed smoke five minutes later,” Royal Oak Fire Capt. Robert Weingartz told The Daily Tribune.

Fire officials aren’t sure what kind of malfunction caused the fire, but said in statement Monday on Royal Oak’s Facebook page Monday that it’s never a good idea to leave a car running in a closed garage.

“Leaving a running car can potentially fill your garage with dangerous carbon monoxide (CO),” the fire department said. “This colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas is extremely toxic for humans and can be fatal.”