Passersby Karl and Robin Grockau of Clam River said they were on the way to the Save-a-Lot store on US-131 when they saw smoke.

ÒAt first I thought somebody was burning brush,Ó Karl said. The amount of black smoke made him pull over to the side of the road. ÒI was the first one here. He (the homeowner) was trying to get stuff out,Ó Karl said.

According to the report from the Clearwater Twp. Fire Department, there was a 1997 Ford F150, a Ford Expedition and a Kobota tractor in the garage. The garage was a complete loss, according to the report.

ÒWe were throwing snow on the house to keep it (the fire) from getting the house,Ó Karl said.

According to the Clearwater FD report, the house was only 10 feet away and the siding was melting upon arrival of their units.

ÒThe guys did a great job of saving the house,Ó the report stated.

They were assisted by South Torch Lake Fire Department station 2200 and Kalkaska station 7.

The cause still is under investigation.

The homeowner could not be reached for comment.