A garage was damaged in an early morning fire in Bright's Grove.
Sarnia Fire Rescue Services responded to a structure fire just after 3 a.m. Monday in the area of Pine Avenue and Old Lakeshore Road.
Firefighters were able to knock the blaze down quickly, preventing the flames from spreading to the home and vehicles.
Sarnia Fire Rescue Services Chief Fire Prevention Officer Roel Bus said the damage estimate was between $30,000 and $40,000.
It's believed the accidental fire originated from a compost bin located outside of the garage.
"I think strong winds from the northwest would have been a factor there as well. There were no other accidental causes that could be attributed to that. It definitely started from the outside, there were no outlets, no real path back there either," Bus said. "With the right moisture content, and heat accumulation in [the compost bin], with the winds, could definitely result in flaming combustion that would have started that fire."
Bus said it's unusual for a small compost bin to combust but it is possible.
"We see it with hay baling. If you put the hay away when it's too wet, if it's not completely dry then it will do that, it will create a lot of heat inside of it and it will start burning from the inside out," he said.
Bus said it was lucky that a neighbour, who was up early for work, noticed the fire and reported it.
Fire crews were at the scene for about one hour.
No injuries were reported.
-With files from Natalia Vega
