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2-Alarm Fire Destroys Garage In Yonkers

YONKERS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - An extra-alarm fire quickly tore through a private garage in Yonkers Friday afternoon, causing no injuries but leaving the building in ruins.

As CBS 2's Dave Carlin reported, the two-alarm fire broke out in the structure full of cars, oil and gasoline on Post Street just after 3 p.m. Flames and thick black smoke shot through the roof of the building.

In minutes, the fast-moving blaze gobbled up the roof. People in the nearby buildings were ordered out.

People in nearby buildings were ordered out.

Mike Poerner of Yonkers, who was among those evacuated, said he was shocked to see the huge flames and thick smoke.

"It was, like dark, like it was like a big cloud of smoke," Poerner said.

Poerner and his neighbors walked through smoke to get to a spot where all they could do was stand around and watch firefighters attacking the blaze from all four sides. Some people lost their vehicles inside the garage.

"My car is in there," said Jorge Saenz of Yonkers.

Police collected personal information from car owners, who realized it was doubtful they would get their property back. They said it was time to file insurance claims.

"It's in there – fire -- brand-new car," Saenz said. "It's destroyed, everything."

As of 5 p.m., the scene remained active. The cause of the fire was not immediately learned.

The manager of the garage would not specify how many cars were inside.

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