RANTOUL — A small propane heater was the cause of a fire that damaged a detached garage near the junction of K-33 and K-68 north of Rantoul and the car parked inside it Monday afternoon. The car’s owner was using the heater to keep the car warm during the severely cold weather when the heater melted the plastic front bumper and started the fire, Cutler Township Fire Chief Ed Ouellette said. The owner had left the garage slightly open and the fire melted enough of the door, causing it to slam shut, he said. The closing of the garage door shut off the flow of air to the fire and stopped most of the fire, he said. The fire caused severe damage to the front of the car but minor damage to the garage.
Tuesday, Jan. 7, 3:30 p.m.
